August 14, 2012 - More forest fires in the
western United States have prompted the U.S.
Forest Service to call in two additional C-130
Hercules aircraft equipped with the Mobile
Airborne Fire Fighting System.
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine
turboprop military transport aircraft designed
and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed
Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for
takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally
designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and
cargo transport aircraft.
The versatile airframe has found uses in a
variety of other roles, including as a gunship
(AC-130), for airborne assault, search and
rescue, scientific research support, weather
reconnaissance, aerial refueling, maritime
patrol and aerial firefighting. It is now the
main tactical airlifter for many military forces
worldwide. Those aircraft, expected to be
operating will come from the Wyoming Air
National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing here,
officials said.
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