Panetta Commends Jacoby for Northcom Fire Assistance

In an afternoon call to the commander of U.S. Northern Command, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commended Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. for leading the Defense Department's effort to support the fight against Colorado's raging wildfires.The secretary also commended National Guard and Northcom

MAFFS crews train for mountain fire fighting scenarios

When you add heat, high elevation and mountainous terrain, you have a combination that makes an already difficult mission that much tougher. The Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System trained C-130 Hercules pilots of the 731st Expeditionary Air Squadron have been dealing with these conditions since

MAFFS crews eager to fight fire another day

A heavy smell of smoke and a thick haze greeted members of the 731st Expeditionary Air Squadron as they arrived on the flightline during the early morning June 27 here to prepare the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130s for another day of aerial fire-fighting. The day before saw

Fire's fury presents challenges to MAFFS operationally, personally

The flightline at Peterson Air Force base roared to life June 26 as the engines of four C-130 Hercules cranked up to begin day two of Modular Airborne Fire Fighting missions in Colorado. The scene was reminiscent of a NASCAR pit with aircraft landing and refueling quickly before taking flight. Today

Air Force Reserve and Wyoming Air National Guard continue aerial fire fighting in Colorado

Two Air Force Reserve Command C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 302nd Airlift Wing were joined by two C-130s from the Wyoming Air National Guard June 25 here to begin aerial fire fighting missions in the Rocky Mountain region.The four Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, equipped aircraft

Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard C-130s assist with fire efforts

Wyoming Air National Guard MAFFS C-130s join Colorado wildland fire fighting effort

Two Wyoming Air National Guard Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems-equipped C-130s arrived here June 25 after the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) requested Department of Defense wildland firefighting support for the Rocky Mountain area.The 153rd Airlift Wing's aircraft, along with 16

Local AF bases enter fight vs. Waldo Canyon fire

When Colorado Springs, Colo., called for aid in fighting the quickly spreading Waldo Canyon fire, which started Saturday and grew to nearly 3,500 acres by Monday, the Department of Defense answered in strength, deploying multiple aircraft and opening its flightlines for firefighting operations.The

Sister squadrons go platinum: Historic flying units predate the Air Force

In the spring of 1942 the United States filled battle-torn European skies with squadrons of airborne war machines. Among them, two transport squadrons began carrying troops and supplies into the second World War, beginning a parallel history spanning seven decades and many military conflicts. As if

Hometown news allows Reservists to highlight accomplishments 'back home'

Members of the 302nd Airlift Wing now have an easier way to share newsworthy events and accomplishments with their hometown publications. The 302nd AW's Public Affairs office recently introduced the newest version of the Department of Defense's Hometown News Release Program. The new Web-based,