Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado –
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – By order of the Governor, the Colorado National Guard is sending aviation assets to assist the Cabin Lake Fire Incident Commander with aerial fire suppression in Rio Blanco County, Colorado.
Crews are expected on site at Rifle Airport, Rifle, Colorado, Aug. 14, 2018.
The support includes two UH-60 Black Hawk crews and helicopters, equipped with aerial water buckets, from the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, and are expected to conduct firefighting operations following reception and a flight briefing.
"We're here to help our neighbors in Rio Blanco County," Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White said. "We'll continue to support our Colorado communities during this active wildfire season."
The CONG continues to provide aviation search-and-rescue capabilities in support of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center 24/7/365. The High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site facility in Gypsum, Colorado, safeguards firefighting personnel.
On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force - Centennial commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage.