Massive amounts of air support are being used to fight the Mullen Fire from various commercial operators as well as government agencies. As of this writing, the Mullen Fire has 2 super scoopers, 4 single-engine air tankers, and 9 helicopters working the fire. Two heavy tankers are also available. There is no shortage of commercial aviation support on the Mullen Fire.
Wyoming Air National Guard has eight C-130 heavy-lift aircraft, and two of those are capable of aerial firefighting. They play a key role is fighting wildfires not just in Wyoming, but all over the region.
According to Governor Mark Gordon’s office, the Wyoming National Guard C130s are capable of flying Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS). The Wyoming National Guard provides the aircraft, but the US Forest Service manages the rotation of the aircraft and MAFFS equipment. Currently, all the MAFFS equipment is deployed in California fighting wildfires there. There is currently 1 C-130 from the Wyoming Air National Guard in California supporting firefighting efforts.
The C-130 currently in Cheyenne has returned from its California mission, but does not have the MAFFS equipment.
Read more on this story at the Cheyenne Post
