153rd AW: 2013 MAFFS training

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 from the 153rd Airlift Wing, after following a U.S. Forest Service lead plane, performs a training mission which includes water drops near the Medicine Bow National Forest, May 10, 2013. The Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd AW held its annual MAFFS certification and re-certification training. When it is determined MAFFS is needed, the National Interagency Fire Center through U.S. Northern Command requests the Department of Defense's U.S. Air Force resources. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Rusty Ridley)

153rd AW: 2013 MAFFS training

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 from the 153rd Airlift Wing, after following a U.S. Forest Service lead plane, performs a training mission which includes water drops near the Medicine Bow National Forest, May 10, 2013. The Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd AW held its annual MAFFS certification and re-certification training. When it is determined MAFFS is needed, the National Interagency Fire Center through U.S. Northern Command requests the Department of Defense's U.S. Air Force resources. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Rusty Ridley)

153rd AW: 2013 MAFFS training

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 from the 153rd Airlift Wing, after following a U.S. Forest Service lead plane, performs a training mission which includes water drops near the Medicine Bow National Forest, May 10, 2013. The Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd AW held its annual MAFFS certification and re-certification training. When it is determined MAFFS is needed, the National Interagency Fire Center through U.S. Northern Command requests the Department of Defense's U.S. Air Force resources. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Rusty Ridley)

153rd AW: 2013 MAFFS training

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 from the 153rd Airlift Wing, after following a U.S. Forest Service lead plane, performs a training mission which includes water drops near the Medicine Bow National Forest, May 10, 2013. The Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd AW held its annual MAFFS certification and re-certification training. When it is determined MAFFS is needed, the National Interagency Fire Center through U.S. Northern Command requests the Department of Defense's U.S. Air Force resources. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Rusty Ridley)

C130-H from 153rd drops retardant near fire west of Cheyenne

A C130-H equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems (MAFFS) from the 153rd Airlift Wing in Cheyenne, Wyo. drops retardant near the Squirrel Creek fire about 70 miles east of Cheyenne, July 6, 2012. MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system owned by the U.S. Forest Service that can discharge 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant in less than 5 seconds, covering an area one-quarter of a mile long by 100 feet wide. Once the load is discharged, it can be refilled in less than 12 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Nicholas Carzis)

153rd Airlift Wing MAFFS

Airmen and MAFFS-equipped C-130s assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyo., arrive at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to provide support to ongoing Colorado firefighting efforts. The 153rd Airlift Wing, along with the 302nd Airlift Wing, have been tasked to provide the requested MAFFS support in the state. (U.S. Air Force photo/Nichole Grady)