C-130 Fighting Wildfires In Texas And Mexico

Posted 17 April 2011
Photo by Amn 1C Blake Miz

Two specially modified C-130s from Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson AFB, Colorado, dropped 12,000 gallons of fire suppressant and retardant on raging wildfires in the northern Mexico state of Coahuila during four missions on 17 April 2011. The two aircraft carry the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, a self-contained aerial firefighting equipment. They began operating from Laughlin AFB, Texas, on 16 April after the Mexican government requested US assistance. So far, the aircraft have been used to deliver about 21,000 gallons of fire suppressant and retardant in seven missions. These Reservists have also been helping to fight wildfires spreading in southern Texas. Four additional MAFFS-equipped aircraft from Air National Guard units in California, North Carolina, and Wyoming are slated to arrive at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas, to help fight the Texas wildfires.

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