New Addition to Ramona, CA Air Attack Base: A Fire-Fighting Marvel
By: Samantha Reynolds Ramona Air Attack Base is about to welcome a powerful new asset to its fleet: a former search-and-rescue plane from the U.S. Coast Guard, now repurposed as…
Governor Newsom Deploys California National Guard to Texas to Support Wildfire Fighting Operations
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: As the Lone Star State battles the largest wildfire in its history, Governor Newsom is authorizing the deployment of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and…
From Borate Bombers to MAFFS: The Evolution of Aerial Firefighting
In the annals of firefighting history, the evolution of aerial firefighting has been a tale of innovation, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to preserving life and property in the face of…
Airbus in Talks With Saudi Arabia for Air Tanker Order
Saudi Arabia and Airbus are currently in discussions regarding the potential procurement of additional A330 military tanker and A400M transport aircraft for the Saudi Air Force. The nation presently operates…
California will finally get additional airtankers
It is by now some five years ago that the US Congress told the US Air Force to convert seven surplus US Coast Guard C-130 aircraft into firefighting tankers for…
Air Force Taps Selfridge ANGB to House 12 New KC-46 Tankers
By Unshin Lee Harpley The Air Force has chosen Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. as the preferred location of a dozen new KC-46A Pegasus refueling aircraft. After an environmental…
Newest Member of the Slovenian Air Force: Leonardo C-27J Aircraft
By: Art Sinclair Slovenia has recently celebrated the arrival of its very first Leonardo C-27J Spartan Next Generation aircraft, which marks the initiation of a significant acquisition involving two such…
During this active bushfire season, a Canadian Conair Large Air Tanker conducted a total of 85 water drops across Queensland
When bushfires were raging across the Queensland landscape before summer had even arrived, specialist pilot Mark Lewis was among those flying into the thick smoke. The First Officer of the…
From Bombers to Guardians: The Evolution of Aerial Firefighting
By: Arthur Stevens In the expansive domain of aerial firefighting, the history of airtankers is a chronicle of innovation, adaptation, and heroism. Stretching back to the early days of combating…
Commercial Tankers Refuel USAF F-15, F-16, and F-22 Fighters For First Time Ever
Three types of U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft participated in air-to-air refueling with commercial tankers for the first time last month, coinciding with a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and…