Aerial Firefighting - 130s Placed On Operational Hold - Firefighting C

7/3/2012 -PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS)In precisely what administrators summarize when "a prudent measure," all army C-130 airplanes prepared by the actual Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System are actually designed into functional hold after probably this airplanes crashed Sunday, July 1.

A MAFFS-equipped C-130 from the North Carolina Air National Guard's 145th Airlift Wing crashed whilst scrapping a criticism around southwestern South Dakota at with regards to 6:30 p.m. Mountain period Sunday, officials said.

"There were casualties, in addition to our feelings and praying move out to prospects which ended up injured in addition to those that misplaced their particular lives," U.S. Northern Command officials said within a authored record today. "The family associated with all these airmen tend to be especially upon our minds. We will probably produce additionally precisely the actual reputation from the casualties soon."

The root cause of this collision will not be determined, as well as the incident is usually underneath investigation, authorities said. At some time of the crash, this team appeared to be preventing the White Draw Fire near Edgemont, S.D.

Sunday's freeze ended up being the first while in the 40-year track record on the MAFFS program, a joint Defense Department in addition to U.S. Forest Service application to provide additional aerial firefighting resources whenever industrial and non-public air flow tankers are no longer capable of connect with the actual Forest Service's needs.

MAFFS is really a self-contained aerial firefighting system possessed through the Forest Service of which can certainly discharge 3,000 gallons associated with waters or spice retardant throughout a lot less than several seconds, covering a space one fourth of your kilometer prolonged through 100 feet wide.

The MAFFS-equipped fleet is investing Monday getting the crews with each other for you to "reflect, reset as well as review," said Air Force Col. Jerry Champlin, 153rd Air Expeditionary Group commander. "We almost all need to make sure our deckie's and also planes will probably be prepared to re-engage while in the vision safely."

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell mentioned this agency can be deeply saddened by that tragic incident. "The agency completely helps that selection simply by your navy for you to remain affordable its MAFFS functioning to deal with that requires of people and families plus ensure your protection in the mandate whenever this resumes," he said. "The agency could continue to spend available firefighting possessions in line with the prioritization of incidents."

It is not really recognised once the MAFFS aeroplanes could continue operations, authorities said.

(Courtesy U.S. Northern Command and 153rd Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs)