Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the readiness of California’s second C-130 Hercules airtanker for firefighting operations ahead of the approaching peak fire season.
The addition of the second airtanker strengthens California’s capacity to combat wildfires, contributing to the state’s status as home to the largest aerial firefighting fleet globally.
Flashback: In 2021, California made history by being the first state to own, operate, and deploy a C-130H airtanker for wildfire suppression purposes.
- The first C-130H played a vital role in firefighting efforts in Los Angeles earlier in the year, having completed 90 missions, responding to 36 fires, and dropping 253,702 gallons of retardant.
The big picture: Tanker 121, a former United States Coast Guard aircraft, has been officially integrated into CAL FIRE service following crucial modifications.
- This marks the arrival of the second out of seven planned C-130H airtankers, recognized as a critical asset amid increasing wildfire frequency and intensity throughout the year.
- The specialized aircraft can discharge large volumes of fire retardant in a single mission, enhancing CAL FIRE’s capabilities to safeguard communities and natural resources.
Driving the news: The journey to incorporate the C-130H aircraft into CAL FIRE’s fleet began in 2018, with California obtaining approval to acquire seven of these aircraft from the Coast Guard.
- Former President Joe Biden signed legislation in late 2023, officially transferring ownership of the seven C-130H aircraft to the state, enabling CAL FIRE to retrofit the planes for wildfire suppression operations.
- The Governor, along with CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler and firefighting personnel, gathered at a hangar in Sacramento to commemorate the milestone and celebrate the efforts behind making the C-130H possible.
