Is Rohnerville no longer a CAL Fire AAB?
1 Like
To my knowledge that Base is still up and running.
1 Like
LOL, I’m definitely not the chief, just copy and paste an email that was sent out
1 Like
Rohnerville is still a Cal Fire tanker base; but at 4000 feet long, is too short for loaded C-130s
1 Like
Santa Rosa is long enough to take a C-130 as well. The coast guard lands their C-130 there all the time.
1 Like
I’ve seen 3 C-130s land on the 4600’ runway at Columbia in my life. The military routinely launches and recovers fully loaded C130s on 3000’ dirt runways, but I don’t know what the minimum runway requirements are (if any) for air tankers.
1 Like
C-130s (and P-3s) used Hemet for years fully loaded. It was a fed issue that put a stop to it. I’d love to see them return.
1 Like
Some data that I have collected from Wildfire Today indicate the following (7) C-130 Air frames were the originals FS purchased from Coast Guard. Const #'s are as follows:
1706
1708
1709
1713
1714
1719 &
1721
FS currently operates 1708 as Tanker 116 (116Z) & 1721 as Tanker 118 (118Z).
respectfully Wildland x8
2 Likes
beautiful…does it have a grizzly bear on it and a star like our state flag? I think the hawk paint jobs do.
2 Likes
I am curious why Hemet-Ryan was not included in this list as C-130’s were ran out of there for years ?
Hemet Flying Service had a C-130 with an external tank that was used in France in the off season.
1 Like
Fresno maybe coming back into play, additionally there are discussions that a C130 would go in place of an S2 at certain bases allowing the S2 to be broken down and serviced for long term life of the S2’s
2 Likes
I think Fresno would be a good place for a C-130. Would close the gap between Porterville and Columbia.
I have noticed that Cal-Fire has experimented using a type 1 in place of an S-2. Especially while tanker 79 was being built.
When you say broken down, do you mean starting to use some of the current fleet of S-2’s as spare parts to keep the majority of the fleet flying??
1 Like
Breakdown meaning allowing s2 to be refurbished
1 Like
It would be good for calfire to have one at Fresno again, it would fill the gap plus when the feds have a tanker there that means two available Lats also.
1 Like
No bear. I’m not sure who came up with that but it wasn’t the state. It does have a flag under the wing though
3 Likes
I believe he is talking about the flag, the bear and star. Our beloved flag.
2 Likes
yeah thats what i meant its bad ass
3 Likes
How are the CalFIre C-130’s equipped? Do they use a MAFF?
1 Like