Wyoming National Guard Mobilizes C-130s to Assist with LA Wildfires

In response to the ongoing wildfire crisis in Southern California, the Wyoming Air National Guard has activated three C-130 aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) to support firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area, Gillette News Record reports.

The planes, which are part of the 153rd Airlift Wing, will travel to Channel Islands Air National Guard Base in California to join the fight against the fires, alongside additional aircraft from other states.

The activation, coordinated by US Northern Command, involves approximately 40 aircrew members and maintenance personnel from Wyoming, who will work in collaboration with aircrews from Nevada, Colorado, and California. A fourth C-130 from Colorado will also be deployed as part of the joint effort.

The MAFFS systems, developed by the US Forest Service, are portable fire-retardant delivery systems designed to be inserted into military C-130s. These systems can discharge up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than five seconds, covering a large area of up to one-quarter mile long and 100 feet wide. Once a plane’s load is dropped, it can be refilled in under 12 minutes, enabling quick turnaround times for repeated runs.

Col. Brian Diehl, commander of the 153rd Airlift Wing, expressed his commitment to the mission, stating:

“It has been difficult to watch the absolute devastation of the wildfires in California. We’re honored to be able to participate in our nation’s efforts to combat these fires and return normalcy to the people and communities of Southern California, and as soon as possible.”

This deployment is part of a broader national response to the wildfires, with the US Forest Service and various Air National Guard units from across the country contributing aircraft and crews. MAFFS have been a critical tool for wildfire fighting since their inception in 1971, when the US Forest Service partnered with the Department of Defense to integrate military aircraft into national firefighting efforts.