Wildfire helicopters at Custer helitack

It has been just over two years since we visited the wildfire helitack base at the Custer, South Dakota airport during their open house which commemorated 50 years of service. Unfortunateley when I stopped by the other day, there was no barbecue grill stocked with hot dogs and hamburgers like last time. Poor planning on my part.

This year Custer helitack has the same combination of helicopters they have had for the last four years, one Type 3 and a Type 1.

Boeing-Vertol 107 at Custer, SD — Boeing-Vertol 107 Type 1 helicopter at the Custer, SD helibase

The Vertol crew told me that the helicopter has been used for approximately 160 flight hours so far this fire season.

Astar Type 3 helicopter at the Custer, SD helibase

The ground response vehicles at the Custer, SD helibase. L to R: the contractor's helicopter service truck, the NPS-supplied crew vehicle, and the USFS-supplied helitack truck.

Note the two decals, U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, on the door of the white 4-door pickup. The helicopter operation is interagency. In addition to the obvious USFS funding, the NPS contributes that truck and a crewperson or two.