A C-130 from Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing “High Rollers” during training in Boise April 20, 2017. Photo by Bill Gabbert.The National Interagency Fire Center has activated two Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) C-130 aircraft to assist with increased fire activity in several western states. The aircraft, from the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing and the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing, will be operational beginning June 26 from McClellan Airbase in Sacramento.
The activation of these MAFFS aircraft is a month earlier than in 2020 and the first activation in June since 2012.
“Our aircraft and aircrews are ready to respond to requests for assistance,” said Lt. Gen. Kirk Pierce, commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern). “Our MAFFS-trained team of professionals recently completed annual aerial wildland firefighting training with the US Forest Service to ensure they are fully prepared for the wildfire season.”
The concept behind the MAFFS is to have surge capacity. The units can be activated when ongoing wildfires reduce the ability of the 18 large air tankers on federal exclusive use contracts and the 8 on call when needed contracts, to respond to new initial attack and extended attack fires. This year there will also be an additional 8 large air tankers on hybrid-type limited exclusive use contracts to provide even more surge capacity. The Federal agencies using the aircraft on fires pay the entire cost of mobilizing and using the military C-130s.
The Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) program is a joint effort between the US Forest Service and Department of Defense (DoD). The USFS owns the eight MAFFS units and supplies the retardant, while the Department of Defense has provided the C-130 aircraft, pilots, maintenance, and support personnel to fly the missions since the 1970s.
The current MAFFS II is configured for deployment with installation requiring less than an hour. The system carries up to 3,000 gallons of water or retardant which can be discharged using 1,200 PSI air pressure in a matter of seconds. The system can provide a fire line 60 or more feet wide and about a quarter mile long.
A MAFFS unit installed inside a C-130. Boise, ID April 20, 2018.
3 Comments
Best wishes to the MAFFs community for a safe fire season.
The MAFF program was initiated after disastrous fires of 1970 in Southern California. The military C 130 has been the only aircraft to deliver retardant using the MAFF systems I and II. Isn’t about time that a MAFF III system with a capacity of over 5000 U.S. gallons be designed and produced? The aircraft would be the C 17 Cargo Master. The system would be portable, loading in and out of the aircraft. Eliminate the over heating air compressor and provide a drop pattern that is over sixty feet wide. The system would be independent of ground base compressors. What is the difference between the MAFF “trail off” and the big issue of the once popular State operated 747?
Crunching the Numbers
USAF C 130 Inventory (all models)
303 with 145 assigned active duty units
Cost per flight hour 24K (Give or take)
Reserve units assigned the MAFFS role
USAF C 17 Inventory
222 with 157 assigned active duty units
Cost per flight hour 78K (Give or take)
Do you suppose that all C-17’s, including reserve units, are flying cargo all over the world? Moving more cargo for all military branches than the C-130’s each flight?
Someone should design and build a 5000 gallon MAFF’s? That’s being very generous with someone else’s money!
State 747? Huh? Next thing ya know you’ll be telling me that the State has Ch-47’s! (Ooooh, it’s a semantics game).
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