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News | April 16, 2011

Colorado AF Reservists answer call to provide assistance for Mexico fires

By NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Approximately 30 Air Force Reservists and two Modular Airborne Firefighting System equipped C-130 Hercules from Colorado’s 302nd Airlift Wing will leave Saturday, April 16 to begin travel to support wildland fires in Northern Mexico, approximately 60 miles south of the Texas border. The MAFFS certified AF Reservists are expected to fly fire containment missions to aid in suppressing the wildland fires that have burned approximately 245,000 acres since mid-March.

The Reserve Wing received the MAFFS alert order Friday morning and was able to coordinate aircrews and equipment in less than 24 hours.

“We are honored to assist our friends to the south and our specially trained MAFFS teams and C-130s will add to the critical aerial firefighting support needed,” said Col. Jay Pittman, 302nd Airlift Wing commander. “The men and women of the 302nd Airlift Wing are expertly trained, highly-skilled and this is a testament to our ability to be ready to respond at a moment’s notice.”

This is not the first time the 302nd Airlift Wing’s MAFFS planes have been activated for international assistance. In December 2010, two C-130s and approximately 50 Air Force Reservists were called upon for assistance with the wildland fires in Israel.