The aerial ballet of fighting fire

Cal Guard and CAL FIRE collaborate during annual wildland firefighting training

Air assets of the California Army National Guard along with California State Guardsmen team up with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to participate in an annual wildfire training exercise, Mather, Calif., Apr. 22-24, 2022. The three-day training kicked off Friday with classroom instruction and concluded with two days of practical water drop exercises at Pardee Lake near Mather, Calif., in preparation for heightened fire activity during the summer and fall months. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Duane Ramos)

Air assets of the California Army National Guard along with California State Guardsmen team up with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to participate in an annual wildfire training exercise, Mather, Calif., Apr. 22-24, 2022. The three-day training kicked off Friday with classroom instruction and concluded with two days of practical water drop exercises at Pardee Lake near Mather, Calif., in preparation for heightened fire activity during the summer and fall months. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Duane Ramos)

Services members from the California Military Department participated in annual wildland firefighting training alongside counterparts from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection near Ione, California, April 23, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Senior Airmen Kevin Nious)

Services members from the California Military Department participated in annual wildland firefighting training alongside counterparts from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection near Ione, California, April 23, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Senior Airmen Kevin Nious)

Story by Sgt. Marla Ogden
69th Public Affairs Detachment

May 4, 2023

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— Services members from the California Military Department participated in annual wildland firefighting training alongside counterparts from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection near Ione, April 23.

The training event, composed of collaborative aerial wildland firefighting tactics and procedures, is part of a long-standing partnership between the CMD and CAL FIRE to jointly, safely and effectively combat fires.

“We really rely on the Cal Guard to step up and fill in the gaps in a surge capacity for fighting fires in California,” said CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Tim Shiffer, training event cadre lead.

Shiffer explained that during fire season, CAL FIRE’s aerial firefighting equipment, like helicopters, becomes exhausted, causing the need to call on their trusted interagency partner—the Cal Guard.

During the training, Cal Guard and CAL FIRE crews collaboratively practiced hoisting Bambi Bucket systems to fill and dump water on designated drop sites.

“The training, once complete, allows the Cal National Guard to take firefighters, or military helicopter managers, on their aircrafts as crew members and integrate our military aircrafts into firefighting operations,” explained U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Anderson, the State Aviation Deputy Officer.

Across the state, CAL FIRE uses the Cal Guard’s CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters to aid with dropping water over complex fires and air rescue MEDEVAC capabilities.

“It started in 1987, and we’ve been evolving this training ever since,” Shiffer said. “It works really well as we both understand our departments’ differences and similarities and are able to coordinate our two styles.”

In addition, the training also qualifies various other positions, such as liaisons and other crucial military personnel, to receive credentialing to operate within the fire system and support their civilian emergency service counterparts.

“Without this training, we wouldn’t know what the stakes, capabilities, or readiness are, or have those networks and relationships established,” Anderson said, who also serves in a dual capacity as a CAL FIRE pilot.

This year, National Guard service members from Utah, Wisconsin and Nevada also participated in the exercise to strengthen their interoperability ahead of California’s fire season.

“We always have the need for resources, so we took that relationship that we have with the other states and invited them to do the training ahead of time to get the qualifications,” Anderson explained.

In recent years, the respective states also took part in fighting California’s complex fires.
“We all do it for the sake of service and making sure that we as agencies and individuals are here, able and ready to support the needs of the citizens of California,” Anderson said.

“It started in 1987, and we’ve been evolving this training ever since,” Shiffer said. “It works really well as we both understand our departments’ differences and similarities and are able to coordinate our two styles.”
Chief Tim Shiffer, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection personnel look towards a flying HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter conducting aerial firefighting exercises in Sacramento, Calif., April 22. The California Military Department works alongside the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection during fire missions making these exercises crucial for syncing knowledge and skill. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. William Espinosa)

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection personnel look towards a flying HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter conducting aerial firefighting exercises in Sacramento, Calif., April 22. The California Military Department works alongside the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection during fire missions making these exercises crucial for syncing knowledge and skill. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. William Espinosa)

U.S. Army Sgt. Bernardo Velasquez, crew chief, leans out of a UH-60 Black Hawk to check the position of the bucket before dropping it in Pardee Reservoir, Ione, Calif., April 22. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Spc. Elizabeth Buck)

U.S. Army Sgt. Bernardo Velasquez, crew chief, leans out of a UH-60 Black Hawk to check the position of the bucket before dropping it in Pardee Reservoir, Ione, Calif., April 22. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Spc. Elizabeth Buck)

“Without this training, we wouldn’t know what the stakes, capabilities, or readiness are, or have those networks and relationships established,”
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Anderson, State Aviation Deputy Officer.

Service members from the California Military Department attend a briefing with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in preparation for the annual wildland firefighting training in Sacramento, Calif., April 21. The California State National Guard, California National Guard, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection attended the instructional brief. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. William Espinosa)

Service members from the California Military Department attend a briefing with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in preparation for the annual wildland firefighting training in Sacramento, Calif., April 21. The California State National Guard, California National Guard, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection attended the instructional brief. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. William Espinosa)

U.S. Army Sgts. Andres Avella and Bernardo Velasquez secure the Bambi helicopter bucket inside the UH-60 Black Hawk, marking the end of their first round of aerial training during wildland firefighting training day three near Ione, Calif, April 22. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Buck)

U.S. Army Sgts. Andres Avella and Bernardo Velasquez secure the Bambi helicopter bucket inside the UH-60 Black Hawk, marking the end of their first round of aerial training during wildland firefighting training day three near Ione, Calif, April 22. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elizabeth Buck)

A U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopter drops water from a Bambi Bucket system during annual wildland firefighting training at Pardee Reservoir, Northern California, April 23, 2023. Aviators from the California Military Department trained alongside the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to practice aerial firefighting procedures using Bambi Bucket systems, which have the capacity to hold up to 2,000 gallons of water. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marla Ogden)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Sorensen, crew chief, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Utah National Guard, keeps watch on the surroundings of the HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter at the annual wildland firefighting training in Sacramento, Calif., April 22, 2023. A crew chief’s job entails primary aircraft maintenance, security of the aircraft, and securing of cargo and passengers among other things. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Pfc. William Franco Espinosa)

A U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopter flies with a Bambi Bucket system during annual wildland firefighting training near Pardee Reservoir, Northern California, April 23, 2023. Service members with the California Military Department trained alongside their counterparts from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to practice aerial firefighting procedures, enhance interoperability and strengthen crew dynamics. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marla Ogden)

A team of National Guard and CAL FIRE aviators prepare to drop their full bucket of water over the treetops in Ione, Calif. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Spc. Elizabeth Buck)

A U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopter drops water from a Bambi Bucket system during annual wildland firefighting training at Pardee Reservoir, Northern California, April 23, 2023. Aviators from the California Military Department trained alongside the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to practice aerial firefighting procedures using Bambi Bucket systems, which have the capacity to hold up to 2,000 gallons of water. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marla Ogden)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Sorensen, crew chief, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Utah National Guard, keeps watch on the surroundings of the HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter at the annual wildland firefighting training in Sacramento, Calif., April 22, 2023. A crew chief’s job entails primary aircraft maintenance, security of the aircraft, and securing of cargo and passengers among other things. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Pfc. William Franco Espinosa)

A U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopter flies with a Bambi Bucket system during annual wildland firefighting training near Pardee Reservoir, Northern California, April 23, 2023. Service members with the California Military Department trained alongside their counterparts from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to practice aerial firefighting procedures, enhance interoperability and strengthen crew dynamics. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marla Ogden)

A team of National Guard and CAL FIRE aviators prepare to drop their full bucket of water over the treetops in Ione, Calif. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Spc. Elizabeth Buck)

CAL FIRE and Cal Guard aviators discuss the importance of dunker training during wildland firefighting training, an annual week long event that strengthens communications and interagency partnerships. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Duane Ramos)

CAL FIRE and Cal Guard aviators discuss the importance of dunker training during wildland firefighting training, an annual week long event that strengthens communications and interagency partnerships. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Duane Ramos)

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