The fire retardant exits the aircraft through one of the aft doorways. It can be rolled onto the aircraft and fully set up in about a day. The MAFFS system is impressively modular. The fact that the 153 AW has such a unique mission and such a unique aircraft means that the chances of getting reassigned to something undesirable are much lower than most. In far too many cases, they lose their crewed aircraft and get assigned to fly drones. Many Guard and Reserve units have spent years or decades doing a mission they love only to be assigned a new aircraft and mission with little notice.
C 130 cockpit upgrade#
Call me crazy, but I think I prefer the look of the UTC Aerospace Systems NP 2000 8-bladed propeller upgrade to the 6-blade setup on the C-130J.
C 130 cockpit series#
Their aircraft are all getting the UTC Aerospace Systems NP 2000 8-bladed propeller upgrade, and the Rolls-Royce T56 Series 3.5 engine upgrade. However, the WY ANG’s H-models get some special upgrades to make them more capable while flying low-level through the mountains of America’s west during the hottest part of the year. Three of the USAF’s four MAFFS squadrons fly C-130H models, while only one has the newer C-130J variant. However, there is never enough to go around, and aircrews from Cheyenne, Reno, Colorado Springs, and California’s Channel Islands spend their summers fighting fires. Federal regulations require the USFS to use civilian contract firefighting aircraft whenever possible. The MAFFS mission is actually run by the US Forest Service (USFS) which coordinates where and when the 153rd’s aircraft fly. The 153 AW is one of only four units in the country that gets to use the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) to fight wildfires. (The dual-use airport, KCYS, not nearby FE Warren AFB.) They’re responsible for a standard Air National Guard C-130 tactical airlift mission, but they also get to use special systems for a unique and exciting mission. The Wyoming ANG has 8 x C-130Hs on their ramp in Cheyenne. A WY ANG C-130 drops retardant on a blaze. If you don’t like one of those opinions you’ll have to hold me responsible and not Hefty or Donny. Those opinions are mine and not necessarily those of the people I interviewed. Quick disclaimer: This post contains several expressions of individual opinion. (If you’re interested, check out our post about their upcoming hiring board so you can start working on the application process right away.) If you want to live in one of the greatest locations on the planet and do some flying that absolutely qualifies as a calling, then the 153 AW could be the perfect place for you. I recently got to speak with an old Air Force buddy, Major Jeremy “Hefty” Atherton, and Major Donny Salamone, the Chief of Pilot Hiring for the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing. They’re missions, callings, and perhaps even adventures.
Thankfully, aviation gives us a lot of opportunities that amount to far more than jobs. Many jobs in this world are just that…jobs.
0 kommentar(er)
