USFS gets First HC-130H

摘要

Former US Coast Guard HC-130H 1721 is now operational with the US Forest Service (USFS) as a firefighting aircraft. The Hercules, known as Tanker 118, is the first of seven being transferred to the USFS and is based at Forest Service Air Station McClellan (FSAS MCC), Sacramento, California. It is currently operating with a Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) pressurised 11,356 lit (3,000 US gal) tank, prior to conversion to full firefighting configuration. It was confirmed in operational use by July 26, when it flew a mission to fight the Lowell Fire in nearby Nevada County.