United States - July 17, 2024

As wildfires continue to ravage parts of California, the California Air National Guard has mobilized resources to combat the escalating infernos. Recently, personnel from the 115th Airlift Squadron at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station took action against the 'Long Fire' in Tulare County.

Maj. Nate Southwick and Capt. Tyler Henry, part of the MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) aircrew, operated from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft equipped with the specialized firefighting system. Following a U.S. Forest Service lead plane, they executed a precision fire retardant drop aimed at containing the blaze and protecting vulnerable areas.

Deployed under the auspices of the National Interagency Fire Center and U.S. Northern Command, these efforts underscore the critical role of aerial firefighting in mitigating wildfire threats. The deployment, which includes aircraft from California and Colorado, operates from Port Hueneme's Channel Islands Air National Guard Station.

Amidst challenging conditions, these coordinated operations are pivotal in safeguarding communities and natural habitats from the devastating impact of wildfires across the state.