Firefighting 747 Supertanker to Begin U.S. Tour

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747 tanker in action Photo Courtesy: Evergreen Aviation

(McMINNVILE) - Evergreen International Aviation based in McMinnville will start demonstrating its firefighting 747 Supertanker during an 11 state tour that begins this month.

The tour commences in Phoenix, AZ and concludes in Anchorage, Alaska.

The modified 747-200 has more than 20,000 gallons of tank space, and is capable of supporting firefighting, oil spill response, and bio-chemical decontamination.

Sam White, Evergreen Vice President said the Supertanker comes at a time when the U.S. Forest Service and states face escalating risks from forest fires and other catastrophic events.

The multi-role 747 Supertanker is the largest tanker aircraft available today.

It has more than seven times the drop capability of a P3, and its patent-pending pressurized system has the capability to disperse retardant at high pressure for an overwhelming response, or drop retardant at the speed of falling rain in single or several segmented drops.

White added it also offers a significant value for American taxpayers, saving homes, lives and jobs.

White said he believes the Supertanker will also save the U.S. government hundreds of millions of dollars in fire suppression and rehabilitation costs every year.

The Supertanker`s 11 city tour includes:

• Phoenix, AZ
• San Bernardino, CA
• Sacramento, CA
• Albuquerque, NM
• Houston, TX
• Tallahassee, FL
• Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD
• Scott AFB, IL
• Boise, ID
• Missoula, MT
• Moses Lake, WA
• Fairbanks, AK
• Anchorage, AK