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News | June 12, 2013

Colorado Air Forces Reservists to deploy ‘MAFFS’ in support of Black Forest fire

By 302nd Air Wing Media Advisory

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Two Air Force Reserve Command Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130s and aircrews from the 302nd Airlift Wing have been requested to support fire fighting efforts for southern Colorado fires.

AF Reserve officials here received official word from the U.S. Forest Service late last night and will be ready to begin flying missions this afternoon.

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.

"We received the request for support at 11:30 p.m. last night, Mountain Standard Time," said Lt. Col. Luke Thompson, 302nd AW chief of aerial firefighting. "We are ready to support containment efforts today if called upon."

Once the launch order is received, the MAFFS-equipped aircraft are expected to fly missions out of Peterson AFB and provide aerial firefighting support to the U.S. Forest Service, as directed by the incident commanders. Those missions may begin as soon as Noon.

The MAFFS units are owned by the U.S. Forest Service, one of several federal and state government agencies and organizations with roles and responsibilities in wildland fire suppression that comprise the National Interagency Fire Center based in Boise, Idaho.

MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system that can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than five seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.

***Media are invited to cover the standup of the activated MAFFS-equipped C-130s and aircrews at Peterson Air Force Base on Wednesday, June 12. Gate call will be the Peterson AFB west gate at 11:30 a.m. Please contact the 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs at (719) 556-4117 to obtain the gate call time and public affairs escort.***