Recent firefighting efforts on the Vista Fire in southern California relied on a relative newcomer to the wildfire suppression toolbox, the Quick Reaction Force, or QRF.
Operated by Coulson Aviation, the QRF is a trio of Chinook CH-47 helicopters converted into state-of-the-art helitankers. They are strategically located in southern California and available for rapid response to the brushfires that occur throughout the region.
The force is supported by a fourth helicopter, a Sikorsky S-76, equipped with a suite of thermal and HD cameras as well as mapping software for accurate detection and reporting of a fire’s perimeter and hotspots.
Easily recognizable by their sheer size and dual main rotors, each helitanker is capable of carrying 3000 gallons of water or retardant. For comparison, the Sikorsky S70 Firehawks carry 1000 gallons. The QRF is also configured for night operations, and flight crews maintain additional qualifications and currencies for operating with night vision goggles.
Check out what CEO Coulson was doing yesterday. The last flight of the Martin Mars over the Saanich Peninsula from Sproat Lake to Patricia Bay across Vancouver Island. The enormous waterbomber will be hauled out of the water and transported to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in North Saanich, where it will become a permanent museum exhibit.
Read the story in the Times Colonist: https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/martin-mars-bomber-coming-to-victorias-bc-aviation-museum-8520547
I know nothing but I know they produce — as do other pilots with other companies. Enough fire for everyone. Jeez. We’re all on the same team. Some pilots are better than others at all companies.
As the fires get bigger and more intense with extreme wind conditions, why is there so much focus on rotary? Even at 3,000 gallons, time, money and lives at stake when towns are under threat.
Jasper BC fire
VLATS can carry up to 6 times the quantity and operate in harsher wind conditions. Last I heard, there was a 747 sitting in Colorado – 19,000 gallons of water or retardant, segmented drops or a 3 kilometre path.
Fixed-wing assets here are plenty busy, Adrian, don’t you worry.
fireaviation.com/2024/07/25/
And how far away from Jasper is the nearest 747 tanker base?
I’m an aviation nerd and I like to think I’m up on the latest fire fighting aircraft. As far as I’m aware, there are no longer any 747 air tankers left. Not since 2021. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Is the 747 on contract last you heard?
Not as far as I know! Would like to see it here in Australia, but I guess the time is not right.
Technically, QRF doesn’t exist. Dispatch can’t just ask for the QRF, it doesn’t evem exist in IROC. You still have to order 3 type one restricted helicopters, a type 2 standard for the helco platform, and an additional order for the MRB. There’s also nothing quick about it. It took over 5 hours to get them to the Vista fire one day after they were requested by air attack. It’s a great tool for sure but the ordering and response time needs to definitely be improved when the fire is not in one of the respective counties that host the helicopters.
Do you think these issues are attributable to Coulson or to the USFS ? Or something else? Why do they not exist in IROC? Who dropped that one, NICC? Was the Vista incident all USFS or unified command?
I attribute it to the Vista fire being a fed fire and not within LA, Orange, or Ventura counties. It was in unified command. QRF does not exist in IROC because by NWCG standards there is no such thing as QRF.
well jeeeez, if they had a delayed dispatch we should just spitcan the whole concept, huh? five whole hours? I guess they couldn’t have been busy doing something else.
Regardless of what they carry, the QRF helped kicked the life out of the Rancho and White Fires here in Kern County last week. Between the various helicopters flying night and day ops, the residents around Brite Lake didn’t get much rest for several days, and not a soul complained. My first flight was right out of high school on an S-55T out of Peppermint, if that tells you anything. In forty-two years, this was the best show I’ve ever witnessed.
The QRF is comprised of 3 CH47’s and a S76. The S61 is a dedicated backup machine for when the 47’s are in maintenance.
These guys are working with the FAA and the USFS to increase the max gross weight to haul the three thousand gallons. I was there when they flew 3000 gallons at Fox Field last year in experimental category, and The US forest service was on site and involved in the test themselves so we can vouch that it hauls 3000 gallons.
I’ve worked with the QRF many times and they kick ass
Your article is partially right the QRF are three copters the two h47s
(you mentioned ) and one s61. the s61 is in Ventura, LA county has one
h47 and one in Orange County. the s76 is the helco that controls all
helicopter traffic and has IR capabilities and other electronics
There are three CH-47s, and the Sikorsky intel and recon helicopter is an S-76.
Unless Coulson’s mistaken about what they’re flying.
The QRF includes three CH47’s and an S76. The S61 is a dedicated backup aircraft when the 47’s have maintenance or are broke down.
3000 gallons, hmnn? They sure like to push that number. Here is some real math
So with an empty weight of say 24,000lbs +2 pilots at 400lbs total
+ 3000 gallons of water at 24,900= 49,300lbs.
Max gross of a 47 is 50,000 at sea level.
How much firefighting can you do with 700lbs of fuel?
Answer is none. When I was flying the 47 on fires, we used 950-1000lbs of fuel as our minimum landing fuel.
You can slap whatever sized sticker you want on the tank, it doesn’t matter if you can’t fill it to that level. Pure PR
The 47 is a great machine for fires, but it really gets under my skin when I see PR people blowing smoke and inflating numbers to make themselves look like they’re the best.
Agreed! Having worked with the QRF, the AA platforms feel the QRF is pushed upon them to be used for PR purposes and never produce the results to back up their claims.
Unfortunately Coulson relies on their marketing department and falls short in experienced firefighting pilots, especially with the 47.
There are far better 47 operators out there with far more experience.
Clearly, OG 47 Pilot was passed over when he applied to Coulson.
They are working with the FAA to increase the max gross weight to the aircraft similar to the super D. The Forest Service was onsite and involved for the test flights at the 3000-gallon drops conducted at Fox field last year and can vouch for 3000-gallon holding capability.
As much as I’d like to believe that, there is a lot more to changing an aircraft’s specifications than a person would think. An operator can not just say “We are going to up our Maximum Gross Weight.” No matter what was said at Fox Field. There is an entire process involved in doing things like that. Saying “it’s good to go” only works in the immediate vicinity of Alberni. They are not a manufacturer, and if I’m not mistaken, they are still operating under Unical’s TC. Yes, there are other foreign governments, along with certain branches of the US military that are operating 47’s at a higher gross weigh (54,000#) but along with that a much stricter inspection criteria/tighter overhaul window) is in effect.
Thank you! It’s so refreshing to read somebody who’s paused for a half-second and spoken up to say “um, wait a sec…”.
The Coulson PR Dept is the most valuable part of their entire organization, and no doubt wins them contracts through populism and sheer marketing brutality.
We can also debunk a great deal of their fixed-wing performance and head-scratching claims of “next-gen” capability. Claims that some cursory investigation will reveal as rather suspect at best, and that clients in Australia, the US and South America have fallen for hook, line & sinker.
Marketing brutality?
I am just curious, Bruce, if people on three continents have contracted with Coulson for airtankers and services, how is it that you alone know better than everyone? What specifically are you claiming is incorrect in this article? Do you have any facts to back up your wild claim? If so, please fork ‘em over.
Let’s hear your facts Bruce. Big statements, dude. Back it up, or your opinion is just like a bellybutton. Everyone has one.
Put up or shut up?
I don’t know of any Bruce who is a tanker pilot. Maybe it’s”Doug”
sounds like Doug.
I think he is a ramp sweeper or maybe a tire washer or maybe a computer repair boy.
I hate to pat each other on the back, but at least someone in the industry has some idea of how things work. Jeez, seems like the whole front office in Alberni has been sent out to comment and vote on all the comments on this page. I wish everyone who knows how fire actually works would chime in on this. I’ll just say I’m glad I’m not a taxpayer funding the QRF or whatever is going on in the southern hemisphere. Good luck people