Airman 1st Class Tucker Smith, 153rd Maintenance Squadron crew chief, marshals a MAFFS-equipped C-130 assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands, Calif., July 3, 2012, at the Wyoming Air National Guard base. MAFFS aircraft continue to operate in the Rocky Mountain region to assist with firefighting efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rusty Ridley)
Staff Sgt. Taylor Brian, 30th Airlift Squadron hydraulics craftsman, catches excess fire retardant after filling a MAFFS unit in a C-130, July 3, 2012, on the flightline in Cheyenne, Wyo. MAFFS aircraft continue to operate in the Rocky Mountain region to assist with firefighting efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rusty Ridley)
Staff Sgt. Efren Enriquez, 30th Airlift Squadron propulsion craftsman, sprays the tail of a MAFFS-equipped C-130 on the flightline in Cheyenne, Wyo., July 3, 2012. MAFFS aircraft continue to operate in the Rocky Mountain region to assist with firefighting efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rusty Ridley)
Staff Sgt. Efren Enriquez, 30th Airlift Squadron propulsion craftsman, sprays the tail of a MAFFS-equipped C-130 on the flightline in Cheyenne, Wyo., July 3, 2012. MAFFS aircraft continue to operate in the Rocky Mountain region to assist with firefighting efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Rusty Ridley)
A MAFFS-equipped C-130 prepares to land at the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne, Wyo., July 3, 2012. MAFFS aircraft continue to operate in the Rocky Mountain region to assist with firefighting efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nichole Grady)
An Airman assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing marshals a MAFFS-equipped C-130 on the flightline at the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne, Wyo., July 3, 2012. MAFFS aircraft continue to operate in the Rocky Mountain region to assist with firefighting efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nichole Grady)
7/3/2012 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command announced that the C-130 Modular Airborne Fire-Fighting System fleet will resume operations today in support of the National Interagency Fire Center and its firefighters on the front lines in several states.
Operational flying was suspended for one day to review flying and safety procedures, in the context of what is known so far about the crash of a MAFFS C-130 while fighting South Dakota's White Draw Fire.
An official accident investigation into the crash is ongoing, with the support of everyone concerned. Next-of-kin of the casualties have been notified.
USNORTHCOM and its Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard aircrews and support personnel are fully committed to their critical joint mission of helping to protect lives and property in our homeland. In support of our NIFC teammates, we are resuming MAFFS C-130 launches and firefighting.
