New MAFFS II used for first time on a fire

A C-130J Super Hercules from the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing at Channel Island ANG Station, Calif., drops water during annual training with the new MAFFS 2 in South Carolina in April, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nicholas Carzis)

Yesterday two Mobile Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) air tankers from the California Air National Guard were used on the Skinner fire at Lake Skinner in southern California during a lightning bust that started numerous fires across the southern part of the state. The 146th Airlift wing out of the Channel Islands base put the new MAFFS 2 units in C-130s and it was the first time that the new systems had been used on a fire.

As Wildfire Today reported on January 28, 2009, the MAFFS 2 holds 400 more gallons of retardant than the original MAFFS, for a total of 3,400 gallons. And the nozzles, instead of exiting out the rear loading dock, are now routed through a sealed portal (a modified paratrooper door) on the plane’s left side. This makes it possible for the plane to be pressurized; in addition, the crew and the rear door will no longer be soaked by the retardant since the rear door can remain closed.

The new MAFFS 2 systems were first delivered in early 2009 or late 2008, but as far we we know, no MAFFS aircraft were used on fires in 2009. If we have a fire season with average or above average activity, we may see the MAFFS used more this year, since there are only 18 large air tankers on exclusive use contracts, down from 44 in 2002.

Here is an excerpt from an article in today’s My Valley News:

RIVERSIDE – At least one California Air National Guard C-130 with upgraded retardant-dropping equipment will be available today for firefighting missions in Riverside County and other Southland locations if needed.

A three-member Air Guard crew flew the first upgraded C-130 wildfire mission Thursday evening, dropping 3,000 gallons of retardant on the Skinner fire east of Murrieta, California National Guard Maj. Kimberly Holman said.

It was the first use on a live fire of the new MAFFS II system — units that roll into and out of C-130 aircraft — which can be re-loaded at any tanker base in Southern California, including Hemet, San Bernardino and Fox Field near Lancaster, Holman told City News Service.

The new system replaces original MAFFS units that have been in use more than 30 years, Holman said.

At 6:45 p.m. Thursday, a three-member crew in a gray, four-engine turboprop C-130 flew from the Channel Islands station about one hour north of Los Angeles and made one drop on the Skinner fire, Holman said in a telephone interview.

The C-130 crew included a pilot, co-pilot and a loadmaster, who coordinated with a Forest Service pilot in a lead air attack plane to time their drop, Holman said.

The crew will be available for more drops by 9 a.m. today, Holman said, and they are expected to continue to support firefighters on the ground over the next several days.

“This is the first time we have dropped on an actual fire with the MAFFS II equipment and it performed flawlessly,” said Col. Paul Hargrove, 146th Airlift Wing Commander.

The MAFFS II system makes military firefighting less costly and more efficient, Hargrove said.

The Skinner fire, first reported at 3:42 p.m. Thursday, had burned more than 700 acres by early today, according to Cal Fire-Riverside County.

The fire burned at a rapid rate of speed and more lightning strikes are expected over the next several days, California Air National Guard officials said.

The U.S. Forest Service gave the first launch order at about 6:15 p.m., Holman said.

More information

MAFFS II air tanker tank
The Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) II tank is displayed for the local media during the MAFFS 2008 annual certifying training at Channel Islands Air Guard Station, Calif., May 7, 2008. US Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Brian E. Christiansen.

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

3 thoughts on “New MAFFS II used for first time on a fire”

  1. I use to be a Refueling Vejicle Repairman out of the 146th. base motor pool, and I am glad that some areas are using the C-130’s. I only wish Los Angeles Coutny would like right now on the Crown Fire…

    0
    0
  2. from reading this report and my understanding of the MAFFS II. does this mean that the air guard 130s will be going to the closest tanker base to reload or do they still have to set up a mobile retardant plant at the military base that they are operating out of?

    0
    0
    1. Matt, it’s my understanding that the MAFFS II equipped C-130’s can reload at any air tanker base that can accommodate an aircraft as large as a C-130. The old system required that a massive air compressor system be set up to refill the air tanks. Here’s what we wrote on January 28, 2009 about the new MAFFS II:
      https://wildfiretoday.com/2009/01/28/new-maffs-units/

      The old and new MAFFS use compressed air to pump the retardant out of the tanks. The old system required that the aircraft land to be pressurized by a dedicated air compressor system at a MAFFS base. The new system has on-board air compressors, which will enable the C-130′s to reload the retardant at any air tanker base and refill the air tank on the fly, so to speak. It takes 35 minutes to recharge the compressed air tank after a drop.

      0
      0

Comments are closed.