Getting some help finally from the military

[Batteriesnare]

Retarded. That all civilian assets must be used first.

Agreed, especially if people's houses are burning due to lack of commercial services. However, channel 11 yesterday made the statement that the couldn't use the AF because it "would be taking jobs from the private sector."

[Monky]

Agreed, especially if people's houses are burning due to lack of commercial services. However, channel 11 yesterday made the statement that the couldn't use the AF because it "would be taking jobs from the private sector."

the .gov has the resources, which are paid for sitting there or not.. yet they'd rather 'pay' the private sector which can not match demand as our whole state is on fire.. and finally we get to use the .mil services..

I really hate bs .gov red tape. If there is a need (and I'm pretty sure NO ONE would argue that point) who gives a shit.. taking jobs from the private sector which can't match demand as more people's lives burn..

[Hoser]

The whole civilian assets part of this thread has not been a player for many years.

[Monky]

The whole civilian assets part of this thread has not been a player for many years.

You get to go up and spray yet Hoser?

[theGinsue]

Just saw the press brief from Peterson AFB. Didn't see you on T.V. though Hoser.

[Birddog1911]

The whole civilian assets part of this thread has not been a player for many years.

Thanks for correcting me, Hoser. It's been 5 years since I was last doing MAFFS. Be safe out there.

[TennVol]

Quote from 25 Jun 2012 USNORTHCOM press release: "Two MAFFS aircraft will be coming from the 153rd Airlift Wing in Cheyenne, Wyo., and two aircraft will be from the local 302nd Airlift Wing here in Colorado Springs, Colo. The aircraft will be operating from Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. MAFFS are important because they provide a "surge" capability that is used to boost wildfire suppression efforts when commercial airtankers are fully committed or not readily available. This criteria was recently met."

And this is from WildFireToday.com: "The aircraft can be requested by the U. S. Forest Service after it is confirmed that all commercial air tankers are committed."

And then there is this from MAFFS PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND PROCEDURES 8338.2.1
(Revised September 2001)

"MAFFS aircraft are intended for activation and use when regular fire agency and private sector airtanker resources are depleted or not readily available. Federal law prohibits use
of MAFFS units if these conditions are not met. MAFFS units will be the first released from the incident.

Each airlift wing can activate 2 C-130 aircraft equipped with MAFFS units. Activation time ranges from 12 to 24 hours, depending on availability of aircraft and flight crews."


Bottom line - no MAFFS flights can take place until all other aerial assets have been committed or are otherwise unavailable...

[Ronin13]

the .gov has the resources, which are paid for sitting there or not.. yet they'd rather 'pay' the private sector which can not match demand as our whole state is on fire.. and finally we get to use the .mil services..

I really hate bs .gov red tape. If there is a need (and I'm pretty sure NO ONE would argue that point) who gives a shit.. taking jobs from the private sector which can't match demand as more people's lives burn..

My friend is in the COANG HQ and he said they've tasked out more air support assets to help fight all these fires. I think just about every UH-60 and CH-47 available to task out is currently under orders from the governor to help fight these fires. I say good on them, that's what the NG is for, and why not? They could use all the help they can get.