AF Reserve aerial firefighting experts head back to Thailand, see 'significant progress' in MAFFS program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Six Air Force Reservists from the 302nd Airlift Wing traveled in late October to the Kingdom of Thailand as part of an observation team reviewing the Royal Thai air force's first independent Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System training event.

From Oct. 25-Nov. 5, the AF Reservists observed both Thai ground personnel and aircrews receiving direct lesson plans and procedures from senior Thai officers on executing the MAFFS mission. In January 2010, those senior Thai officers "learned the ropes" of aerial firefighting from these seasoned Reservists, a fact not lost on Lt. Col. Ted Treffeisen.

"We wanted to see how the Thais conducted their own [MAFFS] training after the instructions we gave them last January," said Colonel Treffeisen, a C-130 Hercules navigator and the observation team's commander. "Our primary role for being with the Thai Airmen during this event was to observe the country's MAFFS training as well as exchange and share our MAFFS experience with the Thai air force."

The Thai Airmen began their training with the inspection, loading and test firing of their own MAFFS unit. Based at Don Muang Air Base outside the capital city of Bangkok, the MAFFS test firing gave both Thai air force C-130 loadmasters and maintenance crews the ability to perform the procedures necessary for employing the pressurized system in the event of raging wildland fires in their own country.

After completing the ground training Oct. 29, it was time to take to the air for precision, pressurized water drops. Both the U.S. and Thai Airmen flew Nov. 1 to Udon Thani air base, an active RTAF base located alongside an international airport approximately 50 miles from the Laotian border. The first water drop not only gave the aircrews the opportunity to practice a live drop, but also provided an opportunity to respond to an unscripted, but very real MAFFS malfunction.

"The RTAF crews handled the MAFFS system malfunction flawlessly," said Chief Master Sgt. James Riley, the 302nd AW's chief loadmaster qualified in MAFFS who was in flight on one of the RTAF C-130s when a critical seal in the already-loaded MAFFS system failed, discharging gallons of waters throughout the aircraft's cargo bay. "It taught them how to remain flexible and quickly problem solve at a moment's notice. They did they best they could under the circumstances presented."

Reflecting on the Air Force Reserve's involvement in their MAFFS program, RTAF Group Capt. Nimit Kraigratoke, 601st Transport Squadron, praised the experience and knowledge the 302nd AW Airmen brought to the RTAF aerial firefighting program.

"We have gained insight into MAFFS system knowledge, preparation, planning and training strategies. These tools have helped us to continue our MAFFS program confidently and safely," said Group Captain Kraigratoke. "[The] confidence in our crews has significantly increased. The MAFFS mission carries inherent dangers that concerned us. The classroom education and flying training we received in January, along with the mission observation team assistance this time around, has prepared us very well to safely fly MAFFS missions in the coming fire season."

A typical Thai fire season lasts from December to May with fires traditionally affecting the country's thick, heavy jungle areas.

While the Thais have quickly adapted to the MAFFS mission, Chief Riley said watching the country's Airmen train reminded him their air force's adoption of the MAFFS mission is "still in its infancy.

"They are still developing their program and getting crews proficient for flying it," commented the chief, who provides additional support by being a fluent speaker of Thai. "This was a way to grade ourselves on how well we did in providing the initial training in January. It's really important to take a look not only at how we can help them adjust the program, but how we can look at ourselves here and learn how we can improve. With the amount of work we put in to the initial training, I am confident they will have a good program."

302nd Airlift Wing Airmen who took part in the MAFFS training in Thailand  include:
Lt. Col. Ted Treffeisen, C-130 pilot (731st Airlift Squadron)
Lt. Col. James Banker, C-130 pilot (731st AS)
Lt. Col. John Richey, C-130 navigator (731st AS)
Chief Master Sgt. James Riley, C-130 loadmaster (731st AS)
Chief Master Sgt. Garrin Pies, maintenance superintendent (302nd Maintenance Group)
Senior Master Sgt. Derek Ashcraft, C-130 loadmaster (302nd Operations Group)