Master Sgt. Thomas Freeman monitors the fire retardant levels of the Modular Air Fire Fighting System on a C-130 Hercules as it prepares to launch Oct. 25 from Channel Islands Air National Guard Base, Calif. Sergeant Freeman is assigned to the 302nd Airlift Wing from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard Airmen are participating in the Southern California firefighting effort. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Roy. A. Santana)