Western Railroad Discussion > O/T: Feds Authorize C-130s To Help Fight SoCal Fires

The Feds have authorized the use of eight C-130s equippent with MAFFS (Mobile Airport Fire Fighting System) that is a sled loaded into a C-130. The photo is of one based at Colorado Springs a couple of years ago at an airshow. Here's a link to the story: https://www.northcom.mil/Newsroom/Press-Releases/Article/4025439/usnorthcom-activates-eight-c-130-aircraft-in-response-to-la-wildfires/

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

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What have C-130 firefighters used in the past?

Usually the military C-130s are called in when civilian resources are tapped out. CalFire has a few modified C-130s and a private company, Coulson has a couple.Photo is of Coulson T-133 touching down at Metro Airport on 7-31-24 for another load of retardant.

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

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I always enjoyed flying in the C-130's.  55 years ago they shuttled me around Vietnam a number of times.  They even let me ride in the cockpit on one cargo run from Cam Rahn Bay up to Phu Cat.  It's nice to still see them flying along with the UH-1 Huey. 

i went across the pacific  to Antarctica on one with skis

A petty correction, MAFFS stands for Modular Airborne FireFighting System.
It’s a pretty incredible system to be honest. As are all aerial tankers and firemen.

Posted from iPhone

One of the super scoopers is out of service while a whole in the leading edge of a wing gets repaired from hitting a private drone. Real nice of these idiots to be flying a drone in an active zone. The FBI is investigating.

Here's a photo of the damge to the wing.... Thank God it didn't bring the plane down!

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

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mojaveflyer Wrote:
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> Here's a photo of the damge to the wing.... Thank
> God it didn't bring the plane down!

Per KTLA Channel 5 it will be back in service Monday morning. Those CL-215's are built tuff to survive their job.

"Some rolled aluminium and gobs of JB Weld ul' get her airborne soon!"  No, not really, but agreed, any butthead flying a drone in such areas need to be in a mental institution.

I think my Green Beret father parachuted out of them. I will have to ask him.

Victor Baird

The CalFire C-130's have an interesting history, they're retired US Coast Guard HC-130H's. Even in their second life they're helping save lives!

That's true1  An excellent point....
PHall Wrote:
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> The CalFire C-130's have an interesting history,
> they're retired US Coast Guard HC-130H's. Even in
> their second life they're helping save lives!

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

SP4360 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> One of the super scoopers is out of service while
> a whole in the leading edge of a wing gets
> repaired from hitting a private drone. Real nice
> of these idiots to be flying a drone in an active
> zone. The FBI is investigating.

Yes. Perhaps a gunship version should be dispatched to take care of the drones and their operators.

I jest....sort of. What morons.

 

Drone jammers and let them fall out of the sky.

ChrisCampi Wrote:
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> SP4360 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > One of the super scoopers is out of service
> while
> > a whole in the leading edge of a wing gets
> > repaired from hitting a private drone. Real
> nice
> > of these idiots to be flying a drone in an
> active
> > zone. The FBI is investigating.
>
> Yes. Perhaps a gunship version should be
> dispatched to take care of the drones and their
> operators.
>
> I jest....sort of. What morons.
>
>  

SP4360 Wrote:
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> Drone jammers and let them fall out of the sky.
>

Problem is it would also take out the Fire department's drones too.  Yes they have them and use them.

Welcome to Planeorders.com!!

Just teasing - found this thread very interesting!