Senator Udall presses USFS to quickly modernize air tanker fleet

Senator Mark Udall air tanker briefing
Senator Mark Udall air tanker briefing
Senator Mark Udall at a briefing about air tankers during the High Park Fire in Colorado, June 22, 2012

On Monday Colorado Senator Mark Udall sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, requesting an update on the modernization of the federal air tanker fleet. He pointed out that at least seven “next generation” air tankers were supposed to be available at the beginning of the 2013 fire season but that “delivery of these new tankers has been delayed by appeals and contracting issues”. Some air tankers usually begin their mandatory availability periods as early as mid-February.

Senator Udall has been vocal on numerous other occasions about modernizing the air tanker fleet and wildland fire management.

In a separate letter to the Secretary of the Air Force on Monday he requested that the Air Force “transfer excess C-130J and/or C-27J aircraft as authorized by the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act to the USDA [to be used by the USFS] as soon as possible.”

Below is an excerpt from the section of the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act that refers to the transfer of aircraft from the military to the USDA and the Coast Guard:

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“SEC. 1091. TRANSFER OF EXCESS AIRCRAFT TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

(a) TRANSFER.—The Secretary of Defense may transfer excess aircraft specified in subsection (b) to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security for use by the Forest Service and the United States Coast Guard. The transfer of any excess aircraft under this subsection shall be without reimbursement.

(b) AIRCRAFT.—The aircraft transferred under subsection (a) are aircraft of the Department of Defense that are—

(1) identified by the Forest Service or the United States Coast Guard as a suitable platform to carry out their respective missions;

(2) excess to the needs of the Department of Defense, as determined by the Secretary of Defense;

(3) in the case of aircraft to be transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture, acceptable for use by the Forest Service, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (4) in the case of aircraft to be transferred to the Secretary of Homeland Security, acceptable for use by the United States Coast Guard, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(c) LIMITATION ON NUMBER.—

(1) LIMITATION.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the number of aircraft that may be transferred under subsection (a) to each of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security may not exceed seven aircraft for each agency.”

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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.

One thought on “Senator Udall presses USFS to quickly modernize air tanker fleet”

  1. I suppose it is telling that the Senator is standing in front of a Canadian aircraft in this photo op. (one of the CV580’s that was down from BC last year?)

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