United States - September 15, 2024

San Bernardino Mountains, California - In a dramatic display of aerial prowess, California Army National Guard Soldiers from Company B, 1-126th Aviation Regiment, are spearheading the fight against a massive wildfire consuming the landscape of the San Bernardino Mountains. On September 15, 2024, these aviators piloted their CH-47 Chinook helicopters, executing precise water drops in a critical effort to contain a blaze that has ravished 39,181 acres.

The fire, which has already charred a significant swath of land, now sees 50% containment thanks to the collaborative efforts of CalFire, the U.S. Forest Service, and local fire departments, with the Army National Guard's aerial support playing a pivotal role. The Chinooks, known for their heavy-lift capabilities, have been transformed into skyward firefighters, their rotor blades slicing through the smoke-filled skies to deliver massive payloads of water directly onto the flames.