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As wildfire season approaches, Air teams practice with MAFFS units

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Stephen J. Collier
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. --  More than 400 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen from across the country gathered this week to be certified on the military's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, known as MAFFS, in preparation for the 2016 wildland fire season.

Airmen from four ANG wings, together with the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing, took part in classroom-based briefings and training as well as C-130 flying operations. Military flight instructors trained alongside U.S. Forest Service aircrew flying in mountainous terrain over simulated fire lines, while ground crew members honed their skills servicing the aircraft and reloading the MAFFS units at the tanker base located at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in Port Hueneme, California. Military and civilian agencies synchronize and coordinate during this training in order to ensure fluid processes during firefighting operations.

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