News United States Air Force
 MAFFS: Colorado reservists activated to support fire suppression efforts in Western U.S.Published Aug. 9, 2018
                        
                        
                        302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
                **PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS)  --**
                Air Force reservists and one Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 302nd Airlift Wing deployed to California August 8.
The reservists join the Department of Defense MAFFS Air Expeditionary Group replacing one of the four currently activated DoD MAFFS-equipped C-130s and aircrews conducting fire suppression missions on record-setting fires in California.
According Col. James DeVere, MAFFS Air Expeditionary Group and 302nd AW commander, the MAFFS-equipped C-130s have flown more than 150 fire suppression sorties including support to California’s Carr and Mendocino fires since beginning MAFFS operations at  McClellan Airtanker base in northern California, July 26.
This is the second time the 302nd AW C-130s and Reserve aircrews have been activated to support aerial fire suppression missions using the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service MAFFS this year. The first activation took place early in July supporting fire suppression efforts in Colorado.
On July 27, the National Multi-Agency Coordination Group raised the National Preparedness Level to the highest level on its 1 to 5 scale due to growth of existing and new fires in California, the Great Basin and Northwest geographic areas.
The DoD MAFFS-equipped C-130s are operated by four military airlift wings: The California Air National Guard’s 146th AW; the Nevada ANG’s 152nd AW; the Wyoming ANG’s 153rd AW; and the Air Force Reserve’s 302nd AW.
The MAFFS units are owned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and, when installed in a C-130, can discharge up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than five seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes.
The DoD, through U.S. Northern Command at Peterson AFB, Colorado, provides unique military support to firefighting efforts when requested by the National Interagency Fire Center and approved by the Secretary of Defense. These diverse mission assets are prepared to respond quickly and effectively to protect lives, property, critical infrastructure and natural resources, and can include, but are not limited to, MAFFS, military helicopters and ground forces capable of supporting firefighting efforts.Peterson AFB 



302nd Airlift Wing 



302nd AW 



Air Force Reserve Command 



AFRC 



Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System 



MAFFS 



C-130 



Hercules 



Department of Defense 



DOD 



Air Expeditionary Group 



AEG 



fire suppression 



McClellan Airtanker Base 



aerial 



Air National Guard 



California ANG 



146th AW 



Nevada ANG 



152nd AW 



Wyoming ANG 



153rd AW 



Air Force 



AF 



Air Force Base Related Links
        Two additional MAFFS C-130s-activated, arrive at Peterson AFB
                                July 6, 2018
                                Air National Guard aircrews and two C-130 Hercules aircraft from 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and 152nd AW, Reno, Nevada, arrive in response for assistance from the National Interagency Fire Center to support the ongoing fire suppression response efforts in the western U.S., at Peterson
            
            MAFFS ACTIVATION: Reserve C-130s support Colorado firefighting efforts
                                July 2, 2018
                                The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing flew multiple Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System missions today dropping fire retardant to draw lines of containment supporting the suppression efforts of the Spring Creek fire in Colorado.The 302nd AW received a request for assistance from the