Annual Aerial Fire-Fighting Training With MAFFS For The Air National Guard And U.S. Forest Service In Southern California

In the dry heat of the high desert, the California and Nevada Air National Guard, the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and multiple other fire-fighting agencies across the United States are performing their annual certification training for the aerial fire-fighting mission with MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System), from May 4 – May 7, 2021.

The success of this training is built on the trusted partnerships between the fire-fighting agencies, having forged their tactical expertise suppressing wildfires since the early 1970’s.

48th anniversary of the MAFFS partnership

According to Kim Christensen, U.S. Forest Service Deputy Director for Fire Operations, this year marks the 48th anniversary of the MAFFS partnership, between the Air National Guard and the U.S. Forest Service, a partnership she describes fondly for the members’ commitment and professionalism on both sides.

Christensen also feels this year’s certification and training is starting just in time. Kim Christensen said, “Fire season has started much earlier than in previous years. We are simultaneously conducting training and certification while supplementing our fleet to fight active fires burning in California right now. While one tanker fills up to run a practice sortie, the other tanker is tasked to put out the real fires.”

Annual certification training

The 146th Airlift Wing’s 115 AS has performed an integral part of the MAFFS mission, since its inception

Pilots and aircrew from the 115th Airlift Squadron (115 AS), Port Hueneme, California, and the 152nd Airlift Wing, Reno, Nevada, are participating in the first round of certification training, held by the U.S. Forest Service. For the 115th Airlift Squadron, it’s another successful year in the books in a long history of aerial fire-fighting for the squadron.

The 146th Airlift Wing’s 115 AS has performed an integral part of the MAFFS mission, since its inception. With a remarkable history serving California, the flying squadron’s legacy dates back to the early 1900s, when the squadron performed its first missions as an observation group, at the Santa Monica airfield in California.

Protecting California has always been a part of the 115 AS legacy, and it continues to grow those traditions with the new pilots attending this year’s training with the U.S. Forest Service.

Partnership with the U.S. Forest Service

U.S. Air National Guard Capt. Curtis Byrd, a MAFFS pilot from the 115th Airlift Squadron, says the partnership with the U.S. Forest Service is invaluable, citing the organization’s rich history in aerial fire-fighting as the backbone to the partnership’s success.

Capt. Curtis Byrd said, “We have such a great relationship with the U.S. Forest Service, and this training and certification is so important to continuing our commitment to protecting lives and property against the devastating effects from wildfires.”

Aerial fire-fighting partners

He adds, “As aerial fire-fighting partners, we have overcome many obstacles and hardships together in the past. We’re so appreciative of the U.S. Forest Service’s professionalism in their ability to provide the quality and safety of our training to help ensure we are best prepared for the next major wildfire.”

MAFFS, which can drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than 10 seconds across a quarter-mile line, is based on a system that slides into the back of the a C-130 military aircraft, and retardant is released through a nozzle on the rear left side.

MAFFS aircraft in wildland fire-fighting operations

MAFFS aircraft can be activated to supplement the U.S. Forest Service

MAFFS aircraft can be activated to supplement the U.S. Forest Service and the civilian air tanker program to slow or stop the spread of wildland fires across the nation. The Department of Defense can provide up to eight MAFFS equipped aircraft, as required.

The 153rd Airlift Wing from Cheyenne, Wyoming and the 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado are also part of the AEG MAFFS program, and will be participating in certification training the following week in Colorado.

Critical training for fire-fighting agencies

“Certification training allows these units to refine their processes, and helps cement our working relationships with NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center) and other agencies. It is critical training that helps ensure the entire team is postured and prepared to deliver critical fire-fighting capability,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, Commander, Air Forces Northern Command.

Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce adds, “Summer 2021 is projected to be a busy wildland fire season, so the training and command relationships are critical to our mission to protect life and property.”