Reno, United States - August 28, 2024

The 152nd Airlift Wing of the Nevada Air National Guard is actively engaged in combating wildfires across the western United States, deploying the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) to aid the U.S. Forest Service. As of the latest reports, one C-130 aircraft and approximately 20 personnel remain on active duty, tirelessly working to mitigate the impact of several major fires.

Since their activation on July 18, the team has dropped approximately 1.8 million pounds of fire retardant, targeting multiple blazes. Among the fires they've tackled are the Park Fire, Borel Fire, Boise Fire, and numerous others, predominantly in California, with operations spanning from Bakersfield in the south to the state's northern border with Oregon.

The MAFFS, which can be rapidly installed onto a C-130, transforms the aircraft into a formidable aerial firefighting asset, capable of delivering large quantities of fire retardant to hard-to-reach areas. This system's efficiency and mobility have been crucial in the fight against wildfires that have plagued the region, exacerbated by dry conditions and high temperatures.