10/22/2007 GAAS:839:07 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems On the Way to Assist in Fighting Southern California Fires
“The federal government has informed me that they will commit six aircraft with MAFFS units that will arrive in the state tomorrow. Their support will provide us with additional firefighting capabilities that will help save lives and property,” said Governor Schwarzenegger.
The MAFFS is a self-contained reusable 3,000 gallon aerial fluid dispersal system that attaches to C-130 aircraft. The MAFFS use is a joint program with the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and the U.S. Forest Service. The objective of the MAFFS program is to provide emergency capability to supplement the existing commercial airtanker support on wildfires. MAFFS crews are trained every year with Forest Service national aviation operations personnel. Aircraft will be coming from the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing at Colorado's Peterson Air Force Base, the Air National Guard's 173rd Airlift Wing from Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing from Charlotte, North Carolina.
