Photorecon

Tagged: CAL Fire

bombers / military / navy / post

The U.S. Navy’s Connection With Fixed Wing Air Tankers

After World War II ended, an abundance of surplus military aircraft found their way into the fledgling aerial firefighting industry. The combination of a large payload and the high performance of many bombers, attack aircraft, and transports allowed enterprising...

demo teams

Patty Wagstaff’s Second Act – Fire Fighting

When Patty Wagstaff rolls the OV-10A Bronco into a smooth right turn to look at the white smoke below her, she is not above a runway. There are no cheering spectators, no crowd lines, and no ribbon cutting poles. Instead, there are tall trees, rocky hills, and flames. Often, she and her backseater, an air tactical group supervisor, who acts as an air controller, are the first people at a wildfire. Wagstaff will circle well above so her air controller can