Two additional MAFFS C-130s-activated, arrive at Peterson AFB

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tiffany Lundberg
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – --  Air National Guard aircrews and two C-130 Hercules aircraft from 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and 152nd AW, Reno, Nevada, arrive in response for assistance from the National Interagency Fire Center to support the ongoing fire suppression response efforts in the western U.S., at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, July 5, 2018.

Bringing the total to four activated Department of Defense MAFFS aircraft, the three wings’ C-130s are equipped with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and are operating out of Peterson AFB. The two additional C-130s arriving today will join two MAFFS-equipped C-130s from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 302nd AW, Peterson AFB, Colorado, that were activated and have been flying fire suppression missions in Colorado since July 2.

MAFFS is capable of providing a fire containment line one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide to support the firefighting efforts on the ground. After discharging the 3,000 gallons of fire retardant the MAFFS can be refilled in less than 12 minutes once at a designated reloading station.

"We train with our total force partners, the Air National Guard, to support real-world fire suppression efforts,” said Col. James DeVere, Air Force Reserve MAFFS Air Expeditionary and 302d Airlift Wing commander. “We are always prepared to respond when called, but it is particularly poignant to respond to fires in our own communities.”

The last time MAFFS operated out of Peterson AFB was 2013 in support of wildland fires in Colorado and western states including the Black Forest fire just northeast of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command at Peterson AFB, provides unique military support to firefighting efforts when requested by the National Interagency Fire Center and approved by the Secretary of Defense. These diverse mission assets are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to protect lives, property, critical infrastructure and natural resources, and can include, but are not limited to, MAFFS, military helicopters and ground forces capable of supporting the firefighting efforts.