Photos of MAFFS training at Cheyenne

MAFFS training at Cheyenne

Tuesday May 7, 2013 I found myself in Cheyenne, Wyoming where two Air National Guard units were conducting their annual training and recertification for using their Modular Airborne FireFighting Systems (MAFFS).

The 153 Airlift Wing from Wyoming and North Carolina’s 145 Airlift Wing got together along with six lead planes for ground-based meetings and airborne exercises.

I’ll write more about the MAFFS training later, but until then, here are some photos.

MAFFS training at Cheyenne

MAFFS training at Cheyenne
Filling the MAFFS with water (for training drops) and compressed air. The MAFFS also have an on-board air compressor which can be used if there isn’t one provided at an air tanker base.
MAFFS training at Cheyenne
The larger tank with the blue dot holds 3,000 gallons of retardant or water. The smaller white tank is for compressed air (at 1,200 psi) which pushes the retardant out of the larger tank.
MAFFS training at Cheyenne
Two Loadmasters operate the MAFFS unit in the cargo hold of the C-130.

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All of the photos were taken by Bill Gabbert and are protected by copyright.

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4 thoughts on “Photos of MAFFS training at Cheyenne”

  1. Yes, very good photos of the inside that we don’t see often. A nice break form the usual drop shots. You might do well for a photo book on wild land fire.

  2. Nice photos! Yours are usually high quality. I’m sure that it wasn’t easy getting good shots in the dark and cramped cargo hold.

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