The Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing began aerial firefighting support on Aug. 9 to help battle wildfires in western states, with initial operations based at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. The activation, directed by the National Interagency Fire Center, also involves coordination with the Air Force Reserve’s 302nd Airlift Wing.
So far, 19 aircrew members from the 152nd have completed five drops, delivering a total of 13,900 gallons of fire retardant on the Crosho Fire in Rio Blanco County, Colorado. Their C-130H aircraft are outfitted with U.S. Forest Service-owned Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS), which can release 3,000 gallons of water or retardant in under five seconds — covering an area a quarter-mile long and 100 feet wide. The system can be reloaded in less than 12 minutes.
The 152nd is one of three Air National Guard units assigned to the mission, joining the 146th Airlift Wing from California, the 153rd from Wyoming, and the 302nd Airlift Wing from Colorado Springs.
Col. Catherine Grush, 152nd Wing Commander, emphasized the importance of readiness: “The recent MAFFS activation in Colorado is a clear example of why we must ensure our Airmen remain trained, proficient, and ready… protecting lives, property, and our communities when they need us most.”
The Nevada Air National Guard, with more than 75 years of service, continues its mission of tactical airlift support for state and federal operations, including MAFFS firefighting since 2016, Operation Deep Freeze since 2024, and partnerships with Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
Leave a Reply