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Operation Christmas Drop 2015

By Anderson Air Force Base Public Affairs

The 2015 Operation Christmas Drop officially kicked off Dec. 8 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Military members from the 36th Wing, 374th Airlift Wing, 734th Air Mobility Squadron, 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and international partners from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force gathered for the opening ceremony celebrating the first ever trilateral execution of Operation Christmas Drop.

Ongoing since 1952, Christmas Drop is the Department of Defense’s longest running humanitarian airlift mission and impacts more than 20,000 islanders annually. C-130 aircrews will deliver nearly 40,000 pounds of supplies by executing more than 20 low-cost, low-altitude airdrop training missions to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau.

We have compiled this gallery of our favorite images that put you in a C-130 with the aircrews.

Enjoy!

A young girl colors the side of a donation box that is being prepared for Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 5, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. During the humanitarian air drop mission, aircrews from the U.S., Japan and Australia will deliver a variety of donations to remote island residents via low-cost and low-altitude airdrops from C-130s. Children decorated the boxes to add their own holiday wishes for children on the islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Riedel/Released)
A young girl colors the side of a donation box that is being prepared for Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 5, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. During the humanitarian air drop mission, aircrews from the U.S., Japan and Australia will deliver a variety of donations to remote island residents via low-cost and low-altitude airdrops from C-130s. Children decorated the boxes to add their own holiday wishes for children on the islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Riedel/Released)
A local villager waits while Louis Mangtau, Chief of Fais Island, sorts through supplies that were dropped during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, Dec. 8, 2015, at Fais Island, Federated States of Micronesia. Operation Christmas Drop is a humanitarian/disaster relief training event where C-130 crews provide critical supplies to 56 islands throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau.This year marks the first ever trilateral execution that includes air support from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.(U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
A local villager waits while Louis Mangtau, Chief of Fais Island, sorts through supplies that were dropped during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, Dec. 8, 2015, at Fais Island, Federated States of Micronesia. Operation Christmas Drop is a humanitarian/disaster relief training event where C-130 crews provide critical supplies to 56 islands throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau.This year marks the first ever trilateral execution that includes air support from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force.(U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron drops a bundle filled with donated goods and supplies during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, at Fais Island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. Airmen delivered over 800 pounds of supplies to the island of Fais during the drop. This year marks the first trilateral Operation Christmas Drop where the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force work together to provide critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands impacting 20,000 islanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron drops a bundle filled with donated goods and supplies during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, at Fais Island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. Airmen delivered over 800 pounds of supplies to the island of Fais during the drop. This year marks the first trilateral Operation Christmas Drop where the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force work together to provide critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands impacting 20,000 islanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Islanders from Fais watch a C-130 Hercules fly over head during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, at Fais island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron delivered over 800 pounds of supplies to the island of Fais during Operation Christmas Drop 2015. This year marks the first ever trilateral Operation Christmas Drop where the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force work together to provide critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands.(U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Islanders from Fais watch a C-130 Hercules fly over head during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, at Fais island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron delivered over 800 pounds of supplies to the island of Fais during Operation Christmas Drop 2015. This year marks the first ever trilateral Operation Christmas Drop where the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force work together to provide critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands.(U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Islanders from Fais sit down to wait for the bundle drop during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, at Fais Island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron delivered over 800 pounds of supplies to the island of Fais during Operation Christmas Drop 2015. This year marks the first ever trilateral Operation Christmas Drop where the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force work together to provide critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Islanders from Fais sit down to wait for the bundle drop during Operation Christmas Drop 2015, at Fais Island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. A C-130 Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron delivered over 800 pounds of supplies to the island of Fais during Operation Christmas Drop 2015. This year marks the first ever trilateral Operation Christmas Drop where the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force work together to provide critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
A low-cost, low-altitude bundle of donated goods drops to Ngulu island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Operation Christmas Drop allows the 374th Airlift Wing and international partners from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force to practice dynamic delivery airdrop with unsurveyed drop zones while providing critical supplies to 20,000 islanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
A low-cost, low-altitude bundle of donated goods drops to Ngulu island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Operation Christmas Drop allows the 374th Airlift Wing and international partners from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force to practice dynamic delivery airdrop with unsurveyed drop zones while providing critical supplies to 20,000 islanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
(Left to right) Maj. Bryan Huffman, Pacific Air Forces C-130 pilot, and Staff Sgt. Joel Powell, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, drop a low-cost, low-altitude bundle to Ngulu island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This is a PACAF event which includes a partnership between the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; the 734th Air Mobility Squadron, Andersen AFB of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Hawaii; the University of Guam; and the Operation Christmas Drop private organization. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
(Left to right) Maj. Bryan Huffman, Pacific Air Forces C-130 pilot, and Staff Sgt. Joel Powell, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, drop a low-cost, low-altitude bundle to Ngulu island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This is a PACAF event which includes a partnership between the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; the 734th Air Mobility Squadron, Andersen AFB of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Hawaii; the University of Guam; and the Operation Christmas Drop private organization. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster and Col. TY Chamberlain, 36th Wing vice-commander, drops a low-cost, low-altitude bundle to Kayangel Atoll, Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster and Col. TY Chamberlain, 36th Wing vice-commander, drops a low-cost, low-altitude bundle to Kayangel Atoll, Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
A low-cost, low-altitude bundle containing supplies, educational materials, toys and other donated goods, dropped from a U.S. C-130, floats toward Kayangel, Republic of Palau, bringing holiday cheer Dec. 11, 2015 during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
A low-cost, low-altitude bundle containing supplies, educational materials, toys and other donated goods, dropped from a U.S. C-130, floats toward Kayangel, Republic of Palau, bringing holiday cheer Dec. 11, 2015 during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Airmen from Team Yokota and Andersen wave out the back of a C-130H Hercules to the people of Kayangel, Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau. These islands are some of the most remote locations on the globe spanning a distance nearly as broad as the continental U.S. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Airmen from Team Yokota and Andersen wave out the back of a C-130H Hercules to the people of Kayangel, Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau. These islands are some of the most remote locations on the globe spanning a distance nearly as broad as the continental U.S. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Maj. Bryan Huffman, left, Pacific Air Forces C-130 pilot, checks a drop zone over Ngulu island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop and the first time international partners joined in execution through Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130 support. The event provides critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands impacting about 20,000 people covering 1,000 by 1,800 nautical miles of operation area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Maj. Bryan Huffman, left, Pacific Air Forces C-130 pilot, checks a drop zone over Ngulu island, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop and the first time international partners joined in execution through Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130 support. The event provides critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands impacting about 20,000 people covering 1,000 by 1,800 nautical miles of operation area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Aerial image of Fais Island, Ulithi Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Aerial image of Fais Island, Ulithi Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia, Dec. 8, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
C-130s from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force park on the ramp at Andersen Air Force Base, Dec. 6, 2015 in preparation for Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop and the first trilateral execution of Department of Defense's longest running humanitarian airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
C-130s from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force park on the ramp at Andersen Air Force Base, Dec. 6, 2015 in preparation for Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop and the first trilateral execution of Department of Defense’s longest running humanitarian airdrop mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Staff Sgt. Travis Livingston, 36th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, checks instruments over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau. These islands are some of the most remote locations on the globe spanning a distance nearly as broad as the continental U.S. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Staff Sgt. Travis Livingston, 36th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, checks instruments over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau. These islands are some of the most remote locations on the globe spanning a distance nearly as broad as the continental U.S. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
First Lt. Sydney Croxton, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilot, flies over Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
First Lt. Sydney Croxton, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 pilot, flies over Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Col. TY Chamberlain, 36th Wing vice- commander, writes a holiday greeting to the recipients of one of the boxes of donated goods in support of Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2015. Operation Christmas Drop is a PACAF event which includes a partnership between the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; the 734th Air Mobility Squadron, Andersen AFB of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Hawaii; the University of Guam; and the 'Operation Christmas Drop' private organization. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Col. TY Chamberlain, 36th Wing vice- commander, writes a holiday greeting to the recipients of one of the boxes of donated goods in support of Operation Christmas Drop, Dec. 11, 2015. Operation Christmas Drop is a PACAF event which includes a partnership between the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; the 734th Air Mobility Squadron, Andersen AFB of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Hawaii; the University of Guam; and the ‘Operation Christmas Drop’ private organization. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Maj. Lucas Crouch, 374th Airlift Wing pilot, and 1st Lt. Sydney Croxton, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot, conduct preflight checks Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau. These islands are some of the most remote locations on the globe spanning a distance nearly as broad as the continental U.S. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Maj. Lucas Crouch, 374th Airlift Wing pilot, and 1st Lt. Sydney Croxton, 36th Airlift Squadron pilot, conduct preflight checks Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop. Every December, C-130H Hercules aircrews from Yokota head to Andersen Air Force Base to execute low-cost, low-altitude humanitarian airdrops to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau. These islands are some of the most remote locations on the globe spanning a distance nearly as broad as the continental U.S. It is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian airdrop operation with 2015 being the first trilateral execution with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Villagers from Piig, Federated States of Micronesia, look on as a C-130 Hercules from Yokota Air Base, drops them a bundle of donated goods during Operation Christmas Drop 2015 on Dec. 13, 2015. Operation Christmas Drop is the Department of Defense's longest running humanitarian mission covering 56 remote islands in Micronesia. This is the first year the Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force have participated in the drops. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)
Villagers from Piig, Federated States of Micronesia, look on as a C-130 Hercules from Yokota Air Base, drops them a bundle of donated goods during Operation Christmas Drop 2015 on Dec. 13, 2015. Operation Christmas Drop is the Department of Defense’s longest running humanitarian mission covering 56 remote islands in Micronesia. This is the first year the Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force have participated in the drops. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn)
An island in Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop 2015. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
An island in Republic of Palau, Dec. 11, 2015, during Operation Christmas Drop 2015. This year marks the 64th year of Operation Christmas Drop, which began in 1952, and is the first trilateral execution of the event with support from Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force C-130s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo/Released)
Airmen pack donated books for Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 5, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Crews built 100 bundles with donations such as non-perishable food items, clothing, fishing supplies, tools, toys and other various goods that intend to bring holiday cheer to remote Pacific Islanders. Operation Christmas Drop is a humanitarian aid/disaster relief training event where C-130 aircrews perform LCLA airdrops on unsurveyed drop zones while providing critical supplies to 56 islands throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Riedel/Released)
Airmen pack donated books for Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 5, 2015, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Crews built 100 bundles with donations such as non-perishable food items, clothing, fishing supplies, tools, toys and other various goods that intend to bring holiday cheer to remote Pacific Islanders. Operation Christmas Drop is a humanitarian aid/disaster relief training event where C-130 aircrews perform LCLA airdrops on unsurveyed drop zones while providing critical supplies to 56 islands throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander W. Riedel/Released)

 

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Variants of the C-130J Super Hercules

By Tech. Sgt. Steve Grever
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

The C-130 celebrated its 60th anniversary of service in 2014, and the venerable aircraft is still a mighty workhorse for the Air Force today. It’s illustrious history has seen the C-130 take on many modifications to accomplish a variety of Air Force missions to include airlift, aeromedical, personnel and cargo airdrop and weather reconnaissance to name a few.

While there have been hundreds of different variants of the C-130 since 1954, the current C-130J model has five variants that continue to prove that the C-130 is one of the Air Force’s most flexible and resilient airframes in its history.

Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about the general characteristics and missions of each of the C-130J’s five variants.

C-130J-infographic

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Week in Photos, Jan 4, 2013

Staff Sgt. Delia Marchick

Air Force Public Affairs Agency

This is how our Airmen across the globe ended 2012 in the new year’s first Week in Photos.

 

A C-130 Hercules taxis to its parking spot in Southwest Asia, on Dec. 28, 2012. Snow removal teams used specialized equipment to clear the runways and taxiways after an overnight snowfall covered the flightline with more than three inches of snow. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Chris Willis)

 

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Week in Photos, Nov. 16, 2012

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By Staff Sgt. Amanda Dick
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

From remembering the fallen to honoring the deployed, this Week in Photos is nothing if not dignified.

PHOTO: Tech. Sgt. Sara Bauer and Staff Sgt. Felipe Mendoza help each other place flags above the graves of deceased U.S. military members at the Veterans Memorial Park, Bluffdale, Utah, Nov. 9, 2012. A group of volunteers from Hill Air Force Base helped the Memorial Park’s staff place flags by over 4,300 deceased U.S. military members’ graves. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tiffany DeNault)

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The view from the other ridge

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By Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

Yesterday, as I climbed out of my truck parked on the side of the section of 30th Street that overlooked the Garden of the Gods, I knew I was in the right spot. My mission was to get video and photographs of the Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130s that were dropping retardant on the Waldo Canyon fire, and we had found our ring-side seats.

There’s a common perception out there that MAFFS is the game-changer; that once they arrive, the fire is beaten, everyone can go home. I wish that were the case. The truth of the matter is that MAFFS is just one of many players in a coordinated production, and sitting on that ridge yesterday, we could see that production being played out. Helicopters with water buckets passed one another in the air over and over again as they picked up loads of water from a nearby reservoir and then flew up into the mountains to drop them before repeating the process again. Tiny Forest Service aircraft led large tankers on drop runs before breaking off to get out of the way for the next run. I got a chance to see our MAFFS aircraft makes several runs — always working in coordination with the other players, always with a specific purpose, always as part of a strategy. This is chess, not checkers.

And that was just what I could see from my staked out spot on that little ridge.

I know there are hundreds of firefighters on the ground up in those mountains who are hot, tired, and doing everything they can to contain a force of nature. Everyone is doing their part. Everyone is working in synch, and that’s the only way this thing is going to be stopped.

We stayed up there, getting our photos and video, until a Colorado Springs police car came up 30th, telling everyone to move out of the way, that emergency vehicles were going to be coming this way. Sometimes doing your part means packing up and getting out of the way, so that others can do theirs, so we stowed our gear back in the truck and left. In the rearview mirror, I could see a MAFFS aircraft make another run on the mountainside. The production went on.

From our vantage point, we could see firefighting helicopters going back and forth from the reservoir to the fire. We were up there for a few hours, and I don’t think they stopped once.

The first five minutes we were there, this commercial tanker dropped retardant on the ridge north of the Garden of the Gods. Commercial and military tankers are up there making drop runs as long as the weather and visibility will allow them. Their goal isn’t to put out the fire, but to box it in with lines of retardant. Once it’s contained, it can run out of fuel and die.

One of the MAFFS aircraft, either from the 302nd Airlift Wing here in Colorado Springs or from the153rd Airlift Wing from the Wyoming Air National Guard. The little airplane above it is a U.S. Forest Service aircraft. They fly ahead of the MAFFS and mark where they want the MAFFS to drop with a line of smoke. Then, they break off and wait for the next MAFFS before making another run.

Top photo: Another shot of MAFFS dropping retardant. The retardant is made of 80 to 85 percent water, 10 to 15 percent ammonium sulfate, a jelling agent and red coloring. The red in the retardant helps aircrews see where they have dropped previous loads. Along with containing the fire, the retardant acts as a fertilizing agent. Because the MAFFS discharges the agent in a mist, the fire retardant does not cause damage to buildings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. J. Doscher)