CENTENNIAL, CO –
FOR RELEASE: April 1, 2019
CONTACT: Colorado National Guard Public Affairs, 720-250-1058, ng.co.coarng.list.militarysupport@mail.mil
Colorado National Guard conducts aviation wildland fire training to support partners
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Colorado Army National Guard’s 2nd Brigade 135th General Support Aviation Battalion, based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, will host an annual wildland fire training conference in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and local and state partners April 2-7, 2019, in preparation for wildfire season.
Emergency Management Assistance Compact partners Nebraska National Guard and Kansas National Guard will also participate in the training.
“This wildland fire training conference ensures the highest level of readiness of our forces to support our local, state, and federal partners during the upcoming wildfire season,” Director of Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White said. “This training will help save lives, reduce suffering, and prevent extensive property damage across our region during the coming months.”
During the training, citizens may see and hear military helicopters in the vicinity of BAFB and near local reservoirs during daylight hours.
In addition to aerial operations, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control and Boulder Fire will provide academic training at the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility at BAFB. Training will cover fire behavior, fire shelters, and air space coordination.
USFS will certify pilots participating in aerial firefighting training.
Aerial training will occur at:
- Button Rock Reservoir, Lyons, Colorado, April 2-3
- Button Rock Reservoir; Strontia Springs Reservoir; Littleton, Colorado; and Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colorado, April 5-7
- Weather contingency days are reserved for April 8-14
Months of planning have included coordination with local authorities for site locations, movement of equipment, and environmental considerations.