AF Reserve takes on new generation of aerial firefighting equipment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  A new era of wildland firefighting began March 12 as members of the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing took delivery of the next generation in the U.S.'s military aerial firefighting equipment.

Replacing the legacy Modular Airborne Firefighting System, the new 'MAFFS II' unit will allow the AF Reserve to be more effective and operate with increased efficiency.

"The firefighting equipment the 302nd AW has been using is aging and nearing the end of its service life," said Lt. Col. David Condit, 302nd AW Chief of Safety and local MAFFS coordinator. "This new equipment will ensure continuity of service to the American public for many decades to come."

The new system, under development since 2001, was deemed operational in early February 2009 by the U.S. Forest Service. The USFS's fire and aviation management division is responsible for the Military Airborne Firefighting System, working with both the AF Reserve and ANG to ensure the most qualified aircrews are ready to respond to wildland fires anywhere in the country.

According to an ANG press release during the operational declaration, officials from the U.S. Forest Service, AF Reserve, Air National Guard and Aero Union, designers of MAFFS II, said it took a lot of inter-agency coordination and cooperation to bring the unit on line.

"The 302nd AW has been heavily involved in the development and testing process," Colonel Condit said. "This process has been in addition to normal training and deployment requirements. Local Reservists have spent thousands of days on this project over the past several years and are excited to see the fruit of their labor sitting on the ramp here in Colorado."

Together with federal needs, MAFFS support was highly sought after by local and state officials in California during 2008. A banner year for wildland firefighting, the 302nd AW led the Air Force's 302nd Air Expeditionary Group and made up 33 percent of military wildland firefighting C-130s in California. Colonel Condit emphasized the 302nd AW's overwhelming support of MAFFS II does not go unnoticed.

"This equipment is the future of aerial firefighting," he said. "The 302nd AW has secured a place of expertise and leadership in this mission for many years to come through hard work and sacrifice."

In anticipation of the 2009 wildland fire season, the 302nd AW will begin certifying AF Reserve C-130 aircrews with the MAFFS II equipment the first week of May. 

Stay with www.302aw.afrc.af.mil for the latest news and information.