CAL FIRE debuted the first operational C-130 on Monday, August 26, 2024, marking a significant milestone for CAL FIRE as it moves into the LAT space with the C-130 Hercules (C-130H) coming into operational service as an initial attack airtanker.
CAL FIRE welcomed media on Thursday, August 29, 2024, to see the first of seven fully operational C-130H airtankers, tanker 122 at CAL FIRE’s main operational base and where all seven aircraft currently reside at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, California.
The former military C-130H’s began their journey to CAL FIRE in 2018 when California secured approval to acquire the seven aircraft from the United States Coast Guard. Following Congressional approval and transfer of ownership in December 2023, CAL FIRE Aviation began the meticulous transformation of these once-retired aircraft into firefighting machines.
