Two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems-equipped C-130s from the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing are helping to fight forest fires Idaho and Montana at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, according to an Aug. 4 release. Over the weekend, the aircraft discharged 3,000 gallons of retardant on the Hard Creed fire in Idaho; 9,000 gallons of retardant at the Thompson River fire in Montana; and about 3,000 gallons of retardant on the Warland fire in Montana. Defense Department aircraft have conducted a total of 65 airdrops since July 20, discharging more than 114,000 gallons of fire retardant, states the release. The aircraft are under the control of US Northern Command.
The Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter is Air Combat Command’s top priority, because without it, the Air Force can’t provide the control of the air the whole military depends on to operate, Air Combat Command chief Gen. Mark D. Kelly said. He also named a replacement for the E-3 AWACS, new…