An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | April 30, 2010

Ukraine officials observe MAFFS training

By 2nd Lt. Michael Wilber North Carolina Air National Guard

GREENVILLE, S.C., - Military and civilian officials from Ukraine are observing airmen from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve train withthe Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) here at the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center this week.

The Ministry of Defense of the Ukraine sent two representatives from their Joint Operations Command interested in the relationship of military, government and civilian agencies. Ukraine's Ministry of Energy also has two pilots and one search and rescue specialist here to document firefighting methods with the MAFFS equipped aircraft.

"We are very interested in the coordination and cooperation of military, government and civilian agencies," said Col. Kozyrkov Ihor of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense. We are eager to bring the lessons we have learned here today back home to help with our humanitarian efforts."

Ukraine is joined with the California National Guard in the State Partnership Program. The state's 146th Airlift Wing is one of the units training here this week.

The three other units assigned and equipped to execute the MAFFS missions are the 145th AW from the North Carolina Air National Guard, the 153rd AW from the Wyoming Air Guard andd the Air Force Reserve's 302nd AW out of Colorado Springs, Colo.

MAFFS uses C-130 aircraft are used to drop fire retardant, as ground crews require additional assistance in creating line to slow the fires progression.

"The Ukraine began fighting forest fires with aircraft three years ago, and we are here to learn new ways to use our assets in fighting forest fires," said Zolokotskyi Andrii, a search and rescue specialist with Ukraine's Ministry of Energy. "The experiences we are gaining concerning fighting forest fires are very important to us and our country and will continue to be used for a long time."

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Shane Mills, readiness non-commissioned officer for the 246th Transportation Battalion, Michigan National Guard, discusses U.S. Army fleet management documentation processes with vehicle drivers from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), April 17, 2025, at the RSLAF Joint Logistics Unit in the Murray Town district of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Michigan-Sierra Leone Partnership Moves Ahead with Multidisciplinary Engagements
By Capt. Andrew Layton, | May 2, 2025
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – The partnership between the Michigan National Guard and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) took another step forward April 11-18 with three separate engagements conducted at various...

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle from the 159th Fighter Wing flies alongside a B-52H Stratofortress  during air-to-air integration training, April 29, 2025. The training enhanced interoperability between active-duty and Air National Guard aircrews, reinforcing their ability to operate as a cohesive force in complex airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Matthew Dougherty)
Louisiana Guard, Active Component Airmen Complete Air-to-Air Integration Training
By Senior Airman Seth Watson, | May 2, 2025
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - The 2nd Bomb Wing, assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command under Eighth Air Force, and the Louisiana National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing demonstrated enhanced interoperability and...

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, visits the 49th Missile Defense Battalion, Alaska National Guard, on Fort Greely, Alaska, April 28, 2025. Soldiers of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion operate and secure the ground-based midcourse defense system and are an integral piece of the homeland defense mission to protect the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles using ground-based interceptors.
In Alaska, Nordhaus Sees National Guardsmen Defending the Homeland, Enabling Global Power Projection
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely | May 1, 2025
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – From within Alaska’s vast Interior, Alaska National Guardsmen defend the homeland from long-range missile attacks and enable global power projection.Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, the chief of...