As is typical, and expected, our military are once again providing critical life and property saving help during a natural disaster, this time battling the Black Forest Fire in Colorado.
Personnel and equipment from many Colorado-based military installations are assisting local, state and federal authorities in battling the fire, according to the Department of Defense.
Here are some images of those efforts. (All images and captions: DOD)
A Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 from the 302nd Airlift Wing releases a fire-retardant solution to help stop the spreading of fires at Black Forest, Colo., June 12, 2013. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault)
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies into thick smoke to release water during the Black Forest fire in El Paso County, Colo., June 12, 2013. The pilots and crew chiefs are assigned to the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The Colorado National Guard supports efforts to fight the Black Forest fire, June 12, 2013. Black Hawk helicopters from the Army Aviation Support Facility on Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo., perform water drops using buckets that can carry up to 500 gallons of water and make more than 20 drops before refueling. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Darin Overstreet
The reflection of the Black Forest fire can be seen from the helmet of the crew chief of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as members of the Colorado Army National Guard prepare to perform a water drop while battling the fire near Colorado Springs, Colo., June 12, 2013.
A U.S. Air Force Academy firefighter cuts down a tree in an attempt to control the spread of the Black Forest Fire June 12, 2013, in Colorado. A total of 16 Academy personnel and five vehicles are assisting with fire efforts alongside firefighters from Peterson and Schriever Air Force bases, Fort Carson’s 4th Infantry Division and the Colorado National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Christopher DeWitt)
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies into thick smoke while using a Bambi bucket to release water during the Black Forest fire in El Paso County, Colo., June 12, 2013. The pilots and crew chiefs are assigned to the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The Colorado National Guard, soldiers from Fort Carson and the Air Force Reserve are among the military personnel helping to battle the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, Colo., June 12, 2013. The wildfire has burned hundreds of homes and thousands of acres since it began June 11, 2013. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Darin Overstreet.
Colorado National Guard members complete a water drop while helping to battle the Black Forest fire in Colorado Springs, Colo., June, 12, 2013. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Darin Overstreet.
Lead image:
Air Force Academy firefighters battle a hotspot in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 12, 2013. A total of 16 personnel and five vehicles from the Academy have deployed to fight the fire, which has burned hundreds of homes and consumed thousands of acres.
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The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.