Members of the 302nd Airlift Wing begin a wet fire test of the Modular Airborne Firefighting System II April 22. Air crew members test the system using water, but when operational, firefighters have several different types of fire retardant at their disposal. Carried in the cargo area of a C-130, the MAFFS II is capable of dispersing fire retardant in a quarter-mile long, 100 ft. wide swath from 150 feet in the air, creating fire breaks to protect communities in the path of forest fires. During periods of high wildfire activity, MAFFS-trained military units such as the 302nd, are available under command of U.S. Northern Command to supplement other fire-fighting aircraft.
100422-F-0718D-099.JPG Photo By: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Doscher

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Members of the 302nd Airlift Wing begin a wet fire test of the Modular Airborne Firefighting System II April 22. Air crew members test the system using water, but when operational, firefighters have several different types of fire retardant at their disposal. Carried in the cargo area of a C-130, the MAFFS II is capable of dispersing fire retardant in a quarter-mile long, 100 ft. wide swath from 150 feet in the air, creating fire breaks to protect communities in the path of forest fires. During periods of high wildfire activity, MAFFS-trained military units such as the 302nd, are available under command of U.S. Northern Command to supplement other fire-fighting aircraft.


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