XBradTC

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XBradTC

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Herkin’ and Jerkin’

A C-130J Hercules aircraft releases fire retardant over the trees in the mountains above Palm Springs, Calif., July 19. The 146th Airlift Wing, a California Air National Guard unit, was activated to assist the community with wildfires. I was actually out of town when this particular mission was flown, but the smoke from the Mountain…

A C-130J Hercules aircraft releases fire retardant over the trees in the mountains above Palm Springs, Calif., July 19. The 146th Airlift Wing, a California Air National Guard unit, was activated to assist the community with wildfires.

I was actually out of town when this particular mission was flown, but the smoke from the Mountain Fire was quite visible from I-10 as we drove back into town.  In addition to the C-130, two modified DC-10 tankers and a slew of other fixed wing and rotary wing air attack aircraft, dozens of fire engines, and 3000 firefighters struggled to contain the blaze and save the charming town of Idyllwild.

 

 

 

 

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  1. Old NFO

    Yep, doing GOOD things with the C-130, another mission that kinda ‘grew’ on them! Hope Idyllwild was saved!

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  2. xbradtc

    It was. There were a few structures lost, but overall, a very successful fight against a very, very tough fire.

    It burned within 700 yards of the uphill terminus of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

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  3. NavyDavy

    Fire Terrorism. Interesting video. Don’t recall much about it in the MSM.

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  4. Dave

    MAFFS is an OK delivery system but it does not give as nice a spray pattern as the large civilian air tankers deliver. It is cheaper to the Forrest Service but not to the taxpayer. Civilian tankers are a much lower cost with better service for the most part.

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  5. xbradtc

    Sure, they’re meant to supplement, not replace, dedicated air attack assets.

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