California National Guard Aircraft on Stand-By to Fight Wildfires

The crews recently completed their annual 3-day large-scale interagency wildfire training exercise.

Blackhawks like these will help fight the California wildfires Photo: DoD

(SACRAMENTO) - Five California National Guard UH-60 helicopters have been requested by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Office of Emergency Services this afternoon as a quick reaction force to state wildfires.

Two of the five aircraft are currently on stand-by at Mather Air Field, the Stockton Flight Facility has two, and Los Alamitos Joint Force will provide one aircraft.

Fuel support vehicles and crews have also been requested.

The UH-60 aircraft is capable of fire suppression as well as personnel transport in and out of dangerous and hard to reach locations.

A spokesman for the California National Guard says they maintain their own operations center staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure constant awareness of potential emergencies and provide rapid response if our assistance is needed.

He adds that the California National Guard is experienced in executing fire fighting response missions, and recently conducted our annual 3-day large-scale interagency wildfire training exercise near Fresno in May with the California Department of Forestry and the USDA Forest Service.