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27 September 2024
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California firefighters debut C-130 Hercules firefighting air tankers
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The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) debuted their new custom aircraft that took eight months to modify for fighting wildfires. California's latest weapon in the never-ending war against wildfires, a former military plane repurposed to drop fire retardant, has deployed on its first mission in Riverside County. The first of seven of these aircraft went into service Monday, 26 August 2026 at McClellan Airtanker Base in Sacramento, California. Previously part of the US Coast Guard fleet, these aircraft are being transformed to enhance their already powerful aerial response to wildland fires and protecting communities and natural resources throughout California.
Cal Fire‘s first operational C-130 Hercules appeared in the sky above San Jacinto on Monday, according to the agency. The massive aircraft, which began service as a US Coast Guard search and rescue and cargo plane, is capable of carrying 4 000 gallons of fire retardant in its tank.
“Cal Fire‘s Tanker 122, our first fully operational C-130H, has successfully completed its inaugural firefighting mission," Cal Fire said in a written statement. "This aircraft delivered 8 000 gallons of retardant on the Record Fire in Riverside County, marking a major milestone in our mission to protect California."
"The C-130H will help provide the crucial support our ground crews need to contain wildfires, protecting communities across the state," according to the statement. "The addition of this remarkable aircraft to our fleet takes our firefighting capabilities to new heights."
The Record Fire has scorched more than 500 acres since igniting on Sunday, officials said. It was 78% contained on Wednesday. It was determined to have been human-caused.
First in the nation
The aircraft is the first of seven being repurposed from military service to battle fires statewide, Gov Gavin Newsom announced. California is the first state in the US to own and operate firefighting C-130H aircraft.
The new planes are the fastest and have the greatest range of any aircraft in Cal Fire‘s fleet, officials said.
Even prior to the new additions, California operated the largest firefighting aircraft fleet in the world, according to the governor's office. But wildfires increase in frequency and intensity, requiring new approached to keeping them under control.
"The climate crisis has made wildfires more destructive, and we need to match these threats with new resources," Newsom said. "This aircraft will beef up Cal Fire‘s ability to hit fires earlier and harder, better protecting Californians. It’s part of our overall strategy that adds more boots on the ground and state-of-the-art technologies to Cal Fire‘s world-leading capabilities, along with our huge ramp up in forest management."
Sen Alex Padilla, D-CA, said the new aircraft will provide the state's firefighters with "significant new capabilities to protect our communities and save lives."
"Since entering the Senate, I’ve made pushing the Air Force to complete this transfer a top priority, and I passed legislation to get it done as quickly as possible," he said. "Now, California will be able to respond to wildfires more quickly and effectively as we face drier conditions and increasingly devastating fires."
Source: Desert Sun, Aerial Fire Magazine, USA Today
Cal Fire‘s first operational C-130 Hercules appeared in the sky above San Jacinto on Monday, according to the agency. The massive aircraft, which began service as a US Coast Guard search and rescue and cargo plane, is capable of carrying 4 000 gallons of fire retardant in its tank.
“Cal Fire‘s Tanker 122, our first fully operational C-130H, has successfully completed its inaugural firefighting mission," Cal Fire said in a written statement. "This aircraft delivered 8 000 gallons of retardant on the Record Fire in Riverside County, marking a major milestone in our mission to protect California."
"The C-130H will help provide the crucial support our ground crews need to contain wildfires, protecting communities across the state," according to the statement. "The addition of this remarkable aircraft to our fleet takes our firefighting capabilities to new heights."
The Record Fire has scorched more than 500 acres since igniting on Sunday, officials said. It was 78% contained on Wednesday. It was determined to have been human-caused.
First in the nation
The aircraft is the first of seven being repurposed from military service to battle fires statewide, Gov Gavin Newsom announced. California is the first state in the US to own and operate firefighting C-130H aircraft.
The new planes are the fastest and have the greatest range of any aircraft in Cal Fire‘s fleet, officials said.
Even prior to the new additions, California operated the largest firefighting aircraft fleet in the world, according to the governor's office. But wildfires increase in frequency and intensity, requiring new approached to keeping them under control.
"The climate crisis has made wildfires more destructive, and we need to match these threats with new resources," Newsom said. "This aircraft will beef up Cal Fire‘s ability to hit fires earlier and harder, better protecting Californians. It’s part of our overall strategy that adds more boots on the ground and state-of-the-art technologies to Cal Fire‘s world-leading capabilities, along with our huge ramp up in forest management."
Sen Alex Padilla, D-CA, said the new aircraft will provide the state's firefighters with "significant new capabilities to protect our communities and save lives."
"Since entering the Senate, I’ve made pushing the Air Force to complete this transfer a top priority, and I passed legislation to get it done as quickly as possible," he said. "Now, California will be able to respond to wildfires more quickly and effectively as we face drier conditions and increasingly devastating fires."
Source: Desert Sun, Aerial Fire Magazine, USA Today
