Mississippi National Guard helps battle California wildfires
JACKSON, Miss. – Today a team of Mississippi Army National Guard Aviators are deploying to California to assist local agencies with fighting the massive wildfires across the state.
The CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter crew of approximately ten Soldiers will work alongside the California National Guard and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) by providing aerial water bucket operations and aviation maintenance support where needed.
After a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was placed on California, the state requested MSNG personnel and equipment through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
Inter-agency coordination between the California Office of Emergency Services, the California National Guard, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the supporting Mississippi National Guard forces, played a vital role leading up to the deployment.
“These Chinook flight crew members and maintainers are among the best and most versatile of Army Aviation,” said Capt. Lewis Howard, B Co. commander. “They have trained in many different Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) scenarios to include hurricane response, search and rescue and local law enforcement aid. We include water bucket and fire response training in our annual training plans so CALFIRE assistance is something every crew member is adequately prepared to conduct,” said Howard.
Soldiers serving in support of the MSNG CALFIRE team represent the 185th Aviation Brigade headquartered in Jackson; 1-185th Aviation Regiment, Jackson; Army Aviation Support Facility #3, Meridian; Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment in Meridian, and A Company 1108th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group, Gulfport. The month-long mission is expected to continue through mid-October.
“The aircrew we are providing to fight wildfires in California is very experienced and extraordinarily qualified to perform this mission,” said the Mississippi National Guard State Aviation Officer, Col. Bradley Howe. “I know that they will provide outstanding support to help the people of California just as they always do here in Mississippi.”
