FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – Airmen from the Wyoming and California Air National Guard participated in Modular Airborne Firefighting System training Feb. 13-15.
The annual training exercise ensured aircrews remained proficient in aerial wildfire suppression techniques before peak fire season.
The Wyoming and California Air Guard are two of four units nationwide as part of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves equipped with MAFFS, allowing C-130 aircraft to drop fire retardant over wildfires in support of the U.S. Forest Service and other state and local agencies.
“MAFFS training is essential because our crews need to be fully prepared in case we are called upon to assist in wildfire suppression,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Carson, 153rd Airlift Wing aerospace ground equipment mechanic. “These exercises help us become more proficient at working in remote locations with minimal tools and supplies.”
During the training, pilots, loadmasters and ground crews worked closely with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to simulate real-world wildfire response conditions. The exercise included flight operations at low altitudes, simulated retardant drops and coordination with lead planes and ground teams.
“This mission operates at the extreme limits of our aircraft’s capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Valine, a MAFFS instructor pilot with the Cowboy Guard. “We take off at maximum gross weight, fly at very low altitudes and slow speeds, and operate in high-density altitude environments, often in mountainous terrain. This training ensures that our crews are ready for those challenges.”
The MAFFS program enhances national firefighting capabilities by providing additional surge capacity when commercial firefighting resources are fully engaged. The Cowboy Guard has played a key role in the MAFFS mission since its inception in the 1970s.
“The Cowboy Guard takes great pride in this mission,” Valine said. “When fire season begins, seeing our aircraft on the flight line means we’re ready to assist wherever needed.”
This training also prepares crews for real-world wildfire incidents, such as the Los Angeles fires, where the Cowboy Guard played a critical role in aerial firefighting efforts.