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    Colo. National Guard supporting Spring Fire response

    Colo. National Guard supporting Spring Fire response

    Photo By John Rohrer | (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Maj. Darin Overstreet)... read more read more

    CENTENNIAL, CO, UNITED STATES

    07.03.2018

    Story by Maj. Darin Overstreet 

    Colorado National Guard

    CENTENNIAL, Colo. – By order of the Governor, Colorado National Guard members assisted the Spring Fire incident commander in Huerfano and Costilla counties since July 1, 2018.

    Helicopters and crews, 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, arrived at or around 2 p.m., July 2, and are expected to conduct firefighting operations until no longer needed by the incident command. CONG aviation has dropped more than 173 buckets as of July 5.

    Additionally more than 60 CONG members are assisting with traffic control points, roving patrols and security. A forward refueling point provides support to CONG aircraft fighting the fire. This keeps helos flying by saving more than 30 minutes during refueling because the crews can refuel without shutting down or flying to a more distant airport.

    Ten members of the CONG’s 1157th Firefighters are providing safety with fire suppression support at the Ft. Garland, Colo., heli base.

    “We are here to help our neighbors in Huerfano and Costilla County to save lives, prevent suffering and mitigate great property damage,” Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White said.

    The CONG has been providing an aviation search and rescue standby capability in support of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center since July 1. The High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site facility in Gypsum, Colorado, is supporting the mission which is rapid response to aviation search and rescue missions, primarily for firefighter safety, in support of multiple wildfire responses throughout Colorado.

    On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force - Centennial commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage.

    For information about the:
    Spring Fire, go to www.Twitter.com/SpringFire2018, www.Facebook.com/SpringFire2018, or 719-695-9604 (East side only)

    Colorado National Guard, visit www.co.ng.mil, Twitter @CONG1860, or Facebook @CONG1860.

    Also follow #SpringFire #SpringCreekFire and #cofire.

    CONG Current News Releases:
    https://co.ng.mil/SitePages/cong.aspx

    File photos:
    Colorado National Guard firefighting: http://bit.ly/1bvVyfb
    High-altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site: http://bit.ly/19uP4k9

    File video:
    National Guard firefighting: http://bit.ly/KZQeZI

    B-roll:
    Bambi-Bucket® drops, Black Forest fire: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/293469/black-forest-fire
    Bambi-Bucket® drops, High Park fire: http://bit.ly/17H61HJ

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.03.2018
    Date Posted: 07.03.2018 15:25
    Story ID: 283237
    Location: CENTENNIAL, CO, US
    Hometown: AURORA, CO, US
    Hometown: BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, CO, US
    Hometown: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US
    Hometown: DENVER, CO, US
    Hometown: FORT GARLAND, CO, US
    Hometown: GRAND JUNCTION, CO, US
    Hometown: LA VETA, CO, US
    Hometown: WALSENBURG, CO, US

    Web Views: 126
    Downloads: 1

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