On January 10, 2025, three Wyoming Air National Guard C-130 aircraft, equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS), are set to assist in combating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. These aircraft from the 153rd Airlift Wing will be based out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Base in California.
The deployment includes an additional support C-130 from Colorado, enhancing the firefighting capabilities in the region. This initiative is part of a broader response coordinated by U.S. Northern Command, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and other Air National Guard units from Nevada, Colorado, and California.
Col. Brian Diehl, commander of Wyoming’s 153rd Airlift Wing, expressed the unit’s commitment to aiding in the wildfire response efforts, aiming to help restore normalcy to the affected communities in Southern California.
Approximately 40 aircrew and maintenance personnel will be deployed to support this mission. The MAFFS units involved come from various squadrons, including Wyoming’s 187th Airlift Squadron, California’s 146th Airlift Wing, Nevada’s 152nd Airlift Wing and 192nd Airlift Squadron, and Colorado’s 302nd Airlift Wing and 731st Airlift Squadron.
MAFFS technology, developed since 1971, allows for rapid conversion of military C-130s into airtankers. These systems can drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in under five seconds, creating a substantial firebreak or making variable drops as required. The turnaround time for refilling these aircraft is notably quick, at less than 12 minutes.
