Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Herold | Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing marshal a C-130 Hercules aircraft prior to...... read more read more
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Airmen from the 153rd Airlift Wing departed Cheyenne on Feb. 11 to participate in joint aerial firefighting training in Arizona alongside federal and state agency partners.
From Feb. 12 to 14, lead plane pilots from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other state agencies participated in the National Aerial Supervisor Training Academy. The academy was designed to standardize aerial supervision procedures and ensure lead plane pilots from multiple agencies operated under the same guidance and expectations.
The 153rd Airlift Wing supported the academy in conjunction with its annual Modular Airborne Firefighting System training (MAFFS).
Beginning Feb. 15 and continuing through Feb. 21, C-130 Hercules aircrews from the 153rd took part in annual MAFFS training. The training brought together MAFFS units and interagency partners to rehearse procedures used during wildfire suppression operations.
The 153rd operated out of Fort Huachuca, Ariz., while lead planes flew from Mesa Gateway Airport. The combined training ensured standardized communication, coordination and operational procedures between lead plane pilots and MAFFS aircrews ahead of wildfire season.
The MAFFS program provides surge capacity to support the national aerial firefighting fleet when commercial airtankers are fully committed. Annual training ensures crews remain qualified and prepared to support civil authorities when requested.
| Date Taken: | 02.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.18.2026 14:36 |
| Story ID: | 558270 |
| Location: | CHEYENNE, WYOMING, US |
| Web Views: | 18 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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