MAFFS: Protection from above Blog Aerial Firefighting

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“The USDA Forest Service and other federal wildl

“The USDA Forest Service and other federal wildland fire agencies appreciate the continued military support through the MAFFS program", said Kim Christensen, Deputy Assistant Director for Operations for the USDA Forest Service. “They provide a valuable contribution to our wildland firefighting efforts and we’re proud to have them working alongside us. We also appreciate their focus on safety in all aspects of their operations.” Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs. #MAFFS #C130 #CALFIRE #USFS #NIFC #AerialFirefighting #DVIDShub #wildfires #CaliforniaFires #DOD #CaliforniaFires #brushfire #Climatechange

During this year’s 96-day MAFFS activation, airc

During this year’s 96-day MAFFS activation, aircrews flew 945 sorties, dropping 2,583,204 gallons of fire retardant, the second-highest tally ever, next to 1994’s fire season that established records in all categories. Not since 2012 had all eight USFS MAFFS aircraft been activated at the same time. This season has been another great example of the dramatic impact MAFFS can make in the ongoing battle against wildfires worldwide. #MAFFS #C130 #CALFIRE #USFS #AirForceReserve #NationalGuard #AerialFirefighting #DVIDSHub #CaldorFire #wildfire #CaliforniaFires #DoD #CaliforniaFires #brushfire #Climatechange #McClellan #fireseason

“This was an exceptional year that saw each (MAF

“This was an exceptional year that saw each (MAFFS) unit contribute to a highly successful interagency firefighting effort to date,” said Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, commander. “The sustained effort demonstrated the commitment and professionalism of the MAFFS teams. We appreciate the efforts of each Airman and want to thank their families as well, for supporting our Airmen in their relief efforts.” Thank you to again to our MAFFS crews for the outstanding work these past three months. #MAFFS #C130 #CALFIRE #USFS #AirForceReserve #AirNationalGuard #AerialFirefighting #DVIDSHub #wildfires #CaliforniaFires #DoD #CaliforniaFires #brushfire #firefighting #AirForcesNorth

Footage from the cockpit of a California Air Natio

Footage from the cockpit of a California Air National Guard 146th Airlift Wing Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS)-equipped C-130 shows the devastation of the Dixie Fire in the western portion of the fire’s footprint, Sept. 6, 2021. (Courtesy video by U.S. Air National Guard Master Sgt. Brian Miliefsky) #DixieFire #MAFFS #DOD #NationalGuard #AirForceReserve #AerialFirefighting #CaliforniaFires #NIFC #NorCal #NMAC #HighRollers #ProtectionFromAbove #146AW #C130

A MAFFS II system installed in a C-130 is able to

A MAFFS II system installed in a C-130 is able to drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than five seconds covering an area 1/4 of a mile long. It is the premiere resource for painting the retardant lines that slow a fire's progress and give ground crews valuable time to create a proper fire break. #MAFFS #AerialFirefighting #Wildfires #CaliforniaFires #DoD #Brushfire #Climatechange #McClellan #ANG #militaryfirefighting #ProtectionfromAbove #C130 #USFS

U.S. Air Force pilots Col. Matthew Glynn, Capt. Ch

U.S. Air Force pilots Col. Matthew Glynn, Capt. Christopher Hicks, and loadmaster Staff Sgt. Sean Silver from the California Air National Guard's 115th Airlift Squadron, drop fire fighting retardant from a MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) equipped C-130J aircraft above the Dixie Fire raging across northern California, August 20, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Sean Silver). #MAFFS #C130 #CALFIRE #USFS #AirForceReserve #NationalGuard #AerialFirefighting #DVIDSHub #CaldorFire #wildfires #CaliforniaFires #DoD #CaliforniaFires #brushfire #Climatechange #McClellan