Military Aircraft Join Efforts to Combat California Wildfires
As devastating wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, the Pentagon has deployed two C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with specialized firefighting systems to assist in controlling the blaze. This action follows an announcement by Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh that Navy helicopters with water delivery capabilities were also being readied for deployment.
Sabrina Singh emphasized that the Department of Defense’s involvement is contingent upon requests from state and federal agencies, highlighting, “We are standing by to support … as California requests, but we absolutely cannot just surge assets into an area without a plan.”
The fires, driven by fierce seasonal winds, have led to catastrophic losses, including at least 10 fatalities and the destruction of thousands of structures. The Associated Press reports that evacuation orders have affected 180,000 residents.
Both Pentagon officials and the Navy confirmed the operational readiness of the helicopters, pending certification by California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE). Photographs captured Navy helicopters undergoing firefighting bucket training in San Diego harbor, indicating readiness for deployment once state authorities give the green light.
Efforts to equip the C-130 aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System units were necessitated by the off-season timing of the fires, delaying their immediate deployment. Singh noted that six additional C-130s would be mission-ready by Sunday.
In parallel, 500 active-duty personnel stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, are on standby to support firefighting operations. However, the Marine Corps has yet to receive formal deployment orders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the Department of Homeland Security.
Singh reiterated the Defense Department’s role as supportive, with FEMA coordinating federal relief efforts. Meanwhile, over 600 California National Guardsmen have already been mobilized. Their contributions include 14 hand crews for fuel mitigation, 200 military police for security, and 10 helicopters for firefighting and search-and-rescue missions.
“We’re going to work with California with whatever they need when it comes to addressing these fires happening on the ground,” Singh stated.
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