California firefighters use AI to battle wildfires
San Diego (AFP) – When a wildfire erupted in the middle of a recent California night, it could have been a disaster. But thanks to a new monitoring system that…
Nevada Air Guard helps battle western wildfires
By Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber, 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs NEVADA AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Nev. (AFNS) — The Nevada Air National Guard will support wildland firefighting operations in…
$7.2 Billion Contract Award for Airtanker Services
By: Kelly Andersson The Forest Service has awarded five companies positions on a potential 10-year, $7.2 billion contract for airtanker support services. GovConWire reported today that the Airtanker Services 2023…
Military C-130s equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) mobilized to assist with wildfire suppression efforts.
Story by Capt. Kimberly Chatto KLAMATH FALLS, Oregon – At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, U.S. Northern Command deployed two C-130 aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire…
Firefighting ripe for tech disruption as seasons worsen
Stephanie Gardiner Fighting bushfires from the air is increasingly critical in an era of longer fire seasons, more complex blazes and overlapping disasters, an international conference has been told. Those…
Santa Maria Air Tanker Base poised and ready to respond as peak fire season begins
By Dave Alley SANTA MARIA, Calif. – As more seasonal warmer and drier weather conditions arrive, the Santa Maria Air Tanker Base is gearing up for the beginning of peak…
Australian air tanker on loan in Sacramento to assist with California wildfires
By: TONY LOPEZ California is spending millions to help bring more firefighting aircraft to the state this summer. It’s an effort to get more retardant on fires in the first…
AMC celebrates 100th year of air refueling with community flyovers across the US
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) — The United States Air Force will conduct flyovers across 50 states on June 27 to honor 100 years of aerial refueling excellence. More…
Boeing wants to boost KC-46 defenses as Air Force weighs tanker path
By Stephen Losey WASHINGTON — Boeing and its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences on Tuesday at the Paris Air Show unveiled plans to develop new and advanced defensive capabilities for the…
Conair introduces Dash 8-400AT firefighting airtanker for Canada
A fleet of 70 aerial firefighting aircraft have deployed for the fire season from British Columbia (BC) based operator Conair. The fleet includes a mix of fixed-wing aircraft including Bird…