Warbird Information Exchange

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123308296

Other sources say 3 crew rescued and hospitalized, 3 others unaccounted for.

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System. This was likely a C-130H3 from our Reserve sister squadron at Peterson Field. The 302 AW web site also mentioned that crews and planes from the WY ANG have rotated in to assist as well. IIRC, both of these units are now "associate", meaning that active duty and reservists mix and accomplish the mission together.

As a quick aside, the Reserves & Guard (no offense to any AD associate members) have solely shared the MAFFS mission for years. The Reserves at Keesler AFB fly the only AF Hurricane Hunters. The Reserves at Youngstown, OH fly the only AF aerial spray mission (MASS) for insect control, oil spills, etc. And, other than the WC-130s, all also maintain the same combat airlift requirements and deployment schedule as the rest of the fleet. Most citizens don't know of these extra duties and, sadly, the risks that come with them.

Unfortunately there has been little news as to the fate of the crew. Please keep them in your prayers as this must be an incredibly difficult time for all.

Ken

Prayers for all involved. Hopefully the crew survived.

SN

Tentatively identified as from 156 AS/145AW NC ANG.

Yep, the Charlotte Observer is reporting that - I didn't recall that the NC ANG also performed MAFFS. A good time to sit back and find positive thoughts regardless. There is always a chance there were mixed crews from the various Wings; hard to say until the facts are released. The indication that only three were taken to a hospital, with no other news, is not encouraging. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and keep these brave airmen in your thoughts.

Ken

From Wildfiretoday.com

The United States Northern Command and the U.S. Forest Service have released more information about yesterday’s South Dakota crash of a C-130 aircraft outfitted with a Modular Airborne FireFighting System (MAFFS), enabling it to function as an air tanker.

The USFS said there were two survivors and four fatalities. Yesterday Black Hills FOX News reported that the two survivors were picked up by helicopter from the crash site and flown to the Custer airport. From there one was flown by a life flight helicopter to a hospital in Rapid City and the other went by ground ambulance to the hospital.

The C-130 was identified as MAFFS #7 from the North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th Airlift Wing based at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and was working on the White Draw Fire about five miles northeast of Edgemont in the southwest corner of South Dakota. The accident, which occurred at 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. MT, is, of course, being investigated, and the cause has not been released, but the USFS provided some information:

A BLM ASM [Air Supervision Module] platform was also engaged as a lead [plane] with the C130 when the accident occurred. The ASM/Lead experienced a severe downdraft while approaching the intended retardant drop zone with the C130 in trail. This is being investigated by the USFS as a separate Incident With Potential.

I believe that it may have been tail number 93-1458.

92-1454 not that it really matters.

http://www.firehouse.com/news/10736614/ ... lane-crash

The first few facts are out. Blue skies brothers!