RENO, Nev. — As wildfires continue to strain resources across the West, the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing is activating a C-130 Hercules equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System to support firefighting operations.
A C-130 aircraft deployed from the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno around 10 a.m., headed to the Klamath Falls Airtanker Base in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The 152nd Airlift Wing, known as the “High Rollers,” deployment is part of the MAFFS mission, which provides an aerial firefighting surge capability when civilian air tanker resources are committed and additional aircraft are required. The MAFFS system can be installed aboard specially configured military C-130 aircraft and can discharge up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant during a single drop.
“We’re proud to have the opportunity to support our neighbors during a difficult time,” said Col. Shaun Cruze, Maintenance Group Commander of the 152nd Airlift Wing. “The High Rollers are always ready to answer the call at a moment’s notice, whether that means supporting our combatant commanders overseas or our domestic partners, such as the U.S. Forest Service, here at home. Wildland firefighting is a mission our Airmen know well, and when the call comes, we’re ready to go.”
The Nevada Air National Guard said it was low on the list for activation this summer in support of federal aerial firefighters and the U.S. Forest Service because of its ongoing deployment in support of U.S. Central Command. The Guard said it still has a contingent of aircrews deployed but remains ready for additional missions, and that questions about the deployment must go through U.S. Central Command…