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Updated: October 28, 2007
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Neptune Aviation Tanker 12 making a drop on a Wildfire near Reno, Nevada |
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News
Updated: October 28, 2007
U.S Navy Photos of the Harris Fire, San Diego, California
 071023-N-3927C-001 SAN DIEGO (Oct 23, 2007) - The Harris fire, named after the road it started near, burns a hillside as it moves west toward San Diego. Hundreds of thousands of San Diego residents have been evacuated from their homes as various fires burn in San Diego County. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Thomas E. Coffman (RELEASED) |
| HSC-85,
Always Ready for the Call of Duty Story Number: NNS071027-10 Release Date: 10/27/2007 3:19:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Jennifer Kimball, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the "High Rollers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Support (HSC) 85 continue putting their firefighting skills to use, working hand-in-hand with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for the fourth consecutive day to combat the Southern California wildfires. "Naval aviation is providing aircraft, and we will continue to do so because we are a part of this community, and we'll do everything we can, in every way we can, to help out when the community is in trouble," said Rear Adm. Patrick E. McGrath, vice commander, Naval Air Forces. On the morning of Oct. 22, the squadron received the official request for help from Cal Fire and two HSC-85 firefighting crews were among the first three aircraft in the air that afternoon. "The Navy is part of the San Diego community, and when an event like this happens, we need to plan well in advance and work closely with the firefighting people in the community," said McGrath. "That's why we were able to put water on the fires much sooner and much more safely than we were before." Since the California Cedar Fires of 2003, HSC-85 has frequently trained with Cal Fire to prepare for fire disasters, like the present San Diego blaze. "We learned that we need to be in a partnership and directly working with Cal Fire," said McGrath. "Having the Cal Fire representatives on our aircraft allows us to safely get in and out of the areas and safely drop water where it needs to be. This is a great partnership, and I think that it will be strengthened by this event and continue to grow." Following the Cedar Fires, the Navy and Cal Fire met to discuss lessons they learned from the previous fire disaster. HSC-85, based at Naval Air Station North Island, routinely performed firefighting missions at San Clemente Island Range Complex and is the only military squadron in the area with specialized firefighting equipment and a skilled crew trained for aerial firefighting. "We're experienced aviators, and we're able to adapt quickly, but it helps to have their expertise," said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Wilderman, HSC-85 operations officer who flew some of the recent firefighting missions. The squadron's crew was familiar with how to use the bucket and how to extinguish fires, but the collaboration with Cal Fire has been beneficial for exercising tactics on a larger scale. "It's a great relationship, a great training program," said Cmdr. James Cluxton, commanding officer of HSC-85. "I think it's mutually beneficial for both sides, so that's why I think it works really well." The Navy and Cal Fire worked together for several years to create a joint instruction with specific flow charts detailing how the two units would collaborate in case of another fire disaster. "Without the agreement, we couldn"t be accurately fighting the fires," said Jim Barthol, San Diego Cal Fire air manager. "They're already pre-trained, and they know the procedures and the processes. We worked not as the Navy and the fire department, but as one firefighting entity." The training program was established with Cal Fire to provide the squadron with a ground school. "We started training with Cal Fire in 2004, and we have kept building on that training every year," said Wilderman. A Cal Fire representative meets with the squadron at least once a year to discuss air space management, general fire techniques, different terms used during firefighting and procedures for getting in and out of the fire scene. "It's important for us to work together, because it's an extremely dangerous and complex situation out there," said Cluxton. "Cal Fire are the experts in firefighting, and we're here to help them if they need it." Effective communication between HSC-85 and Cal Fire is a key element for combating a fire disaster. "We got a call from Cal Fire on Sunday afternoon asking what kind of assets we had," said Cluxton. "That's when we started preparing and putting crews together." The 2006 Horse Fire marked the first time a San Diego-based unit actively supported Cal Fire. In 2007, HSC-85 continues to support Cal Fire using its assets to help fight the most recent Witch Creek and Harris Ranch fires in San Diego County. "From our perspective, our agreement and relationship with Cal Fire has been fantastic," said Cluxton. "We will continue to support them for as long as they need us. If we can help them, it helps the community, and that's what we're here for." |
 071023-N-3927C-002 SAN DIEGO (Oct 23, 2007) - The Harris fire, named after the road it started near, burns a hillside as it moves west toward San Diego. Hundreds of thousands of San Diego residents have been evacuated from their homes as various fires burn in San Diego County. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Thomas E. Coffman (RELEASED) |
 071023-N-3069F-008 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 23, 2007) - Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Rexford Sackett, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, looks upon miles of burnt terrain as he and other Sailors prepare to help fend off the blaze aboard an MH-60S Seahawk. HSC-85 is providing helicopters specially equipped with a 420-gallon extinguishing trough used to dump water on San Diego's ongoing fire disaster. The blaze has already forced more than 250,000 people from their homes. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Fahey (RELEASED) |
 071023-N-3069F-006 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 23, 2007) - An MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, dumps water from a full 420-gallon extinguishing trough onto of one of the many areas in San Diego County suffering from an ongoing wildfire. The blaze has already forced more than 250,000 people from their homes. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Fahey (RELEASED) |
 071024-N-5491S-001 CORONADO, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2007) - Coronado ferry commuters watch the sun rise over the Coronado Bay Bridge with smoke from the Harris fire looming overhead. The numerous fires in San Diego County pose no threats to Navy facilities in the area. The Navy Region Southwest has established several Military Evacuation Centers, and is working with various agencies to aide in combating the fires and providing assistance to both military and civilians forced to evacuate their homes. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Nick Sherrouse (RELEASED) |
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Reagan's 'Crisis Action Team' Credited for Successful
Communication During San Diego Wildfires Story Number: NNS071027-02 Release Date: 10/27/2007 11:48:00 AM By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Donnie Ryan and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cara Maib, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- As the smoke begins to clear over the San Diego area and military personnel return to their primary duties, USS Ronald Reagan's (CVN 76) Crisis Action Team (CAT) is being credited for providing timely and critical information about the wildfires to more than 3,000 Sailors and their family members. "The Crisis Action Team was a cell that we set up on the ship to be a single point of contact for Ronald Reagan Sailors in the event of a crisis," said Chief Intelligence Specialist (SW/AW) Cheri Hill, who served as the CAT leading chief petty officer. According to Hill, the San Diego fires marked the first time the CAT team has been employed on board Ronald Reagan outside of a training scenario. During the four days the CAT was active, Sailors answered more than 100 calls for information and assistance and helped provide temporary shelter for 104 Ronald Reagan Sailors and family members. "We've been the single point of contact for the chaplains in coordinating volunteer efforts for the Sailors, we were the central point for the department heads, we coordinated all the information that we [the ship] had to provide to Washington and we actually ended up using them [the team] to get barracks rooms for people evacuated from the fires," said Hill. Hill said the Sailors who manned the CAT worked hard to provide timely information to callers. "We kept two people on the telephone lines 24 hours a day, and we also had some intelligence specialists providing logistical support, making sure the brief updates were ready for the captain, fielding questions and finding answers for the people answering the phones," added Hill. According to Intelligence Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Nicholas E. Jordan, who served as the CAT leading petty officer, the CAT team is typically designed for use overseas where the team trains for scenarios such as terrorist attacks and other emergency situations. "It was different actually doing it on our homeland, but essentially, we had a plan in place for an event like this, and it just took a very few, small modifications to really make it work here, and it worked really well," added Jordan. Ronald Reagan crew members who were affected by the fires said the CAT provided timely, useful information for their families who lived in the San Diego area. "They were very well-informed and gave me names and numbers to contact to get my family into the barracks," said Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate (AW) Juan Carpio, a Sailor from Ronald Reagan's Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department. "They were very kind despite the stressful situation, and I'm very thankful for the information they were able to provide me," said Carpio, who evacuated his family from nearby Chula Vista as the fires approached his neighborhood. Ronald Reagan was commissioned in July 2003, making it the ninth and newest Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship is named for the 40th U.S. president; its motto, "Peace through Strength," was a recurrent theme during the Reagan presidency. |
 071024-N-8327R-130 CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2007) - Firefighter Michael Tenney, of Federal Fire Department San Diego, prepares to help fight wildfires on board Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. The Federal Fire Departments have been combating the fires that broke out in Southern California since they started Oct. 21. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michelle Rhonehouse (RELEASED) |
 071024-N-6597H-086 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2007) - An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter retrieves water from a lake near the wildfires in San Diego. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 has teamed up with the San Diego California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to help put out the wildfires blazing across Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (RELEASED) |
 071024-N-6597H-109 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2007) - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Danny Vickers helps guide pilots while scooping water from a lake near raging wildfires in San Diego County. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 has teamed up with the San Diego California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to help put out the wildfires blazing across Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (RELEASED) |
 071024-N-6597H-149 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2007) - A crew member aboard an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter activates a release button, dumping 420 gallons of water below them on wildfires burning in San Diego county. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 has teamed up with the San Diego California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to help put out the wild fires blazing across Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (RELEASED) |
 071024-N-6597H-232 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 24, 2007) - An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, dumps 420 gallons of water below them on wildfires burning in San Diego County. HSC-85 teamed up with the San Diego California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to help put out the wild fires blazing across Southern California. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jon Husman (RELEASED) |
| Navy
Applauded by Chula Vista Mayor Story Number: NNS071025-25 Release Date: 10/25/2007 7:56:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Todd J. Hack, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific CHULA VISTA, Calif. (NNS) -- City of Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox commended the efforts of more than 100 Navy personnel who assisted setting up the city's evacuation center at the Chula Vista Youth Center in response to the fires in and around San Diego Oct. 22. "I can't say enough about the phenomenal response and the rapid generosity of the Navy men and women who helped with our evacuation center," said Cox. Cox said she asked Commander, Navy Region Southwest, Rear Adm. Len R. Hering Sr. for assistance and supplies Oct. 22 after a mandatory evacuation was issued for residents of northeastern portions of the city in response to the Harris fire. Sailors from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and various local commands arrived with 150 military cots to help the city's evacuation center, which had very little bedding. "I asked Adm. Hering for help with supplies and in an extremely prompt fashion they arrived," said Cox. "(The Sailors) were very capable, responsible and showed great self-initiative helping set up cots and move supplies." When more evacuees began arriving, the city's evacuation center relocated from the high school gym to the Chula Vista Youth Center, a larger facility. Cox said that at the center's peak, more than 500 people were utilizing the facility. Personnel Specialist Seaman Vasile Mesaros, assigned to Ronald Reagan, helped move supplies from the smaller facility and assisted some of the evacuees. "We moved cots and supplies and helped in the kitchen and cleaning up," said Mesaros. "I was happy to help out in any way I could." Cox stated, "Some people forget that many military families live in the area and were also affected by fires. I know there are quite a few active and retired military personnel who live in our city, and I am thankful for all of their service." So far, more than 26,000 of 165,000 Navy, Navy civilian and family members who live in San Diego County have been given mandatory or advisory evacuation orders. The San Diego community is coping with wildfires that have burned more than 240,000 acres in San Diego County resulting in more than 513,000 displaced residents. On Oct. 21, a fire storm, encompassing 11 major fires, developed because of Santa Ana conditions of high winds and low humidity, a long period without significant rainfall mixed with high temperatures, as well as an accumulation of vegetation for areas that have gone approximately 90 years without a significant fire. |
 071023-N-3069F-043 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 23, 2007) - An MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, dumps water from a full 420-gallon extinguishing trough onto of one of the many areas in San Diego County suffering from an ongoing wildfire. The blaze has already forced more than 250,000 people from their homes. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Fahey (RELEASED) |
| HCC
Coordinates Naval Helicopter Operations During San Diego
Wildfires Story Number: NNS071026-01 Release Date: 10/26/2007 6:48:00 AM By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Ahron Arendes, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific officially established the Helicopter Coordination Center (HCC) here, Oct. 22, to coordinate Navy and Marine helicopters flying in support of firefighters battling the San Diego wildfires. The HCC receives helicopter support requests through the Navy Region Southwest Emergency Operations Center from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CalFire) and tasks local helicopter squadrons to provide the assistance needed. "We wanted to provide a focal point for helicopter operations here at North Island," said HCC Director, Lt. Cmdr. Joe Amaral. "This helps with managing our helicopter assets in responding to taskings from CalFire." According to Amaral, the HCC has enabled critical communication between the different agencies involved. "If there wasn't this sort of communication in place, there would be no way for a firefighter on the ground, who needs airborne assets, to get the assistance in a timely manner," said Amaral. The HCC is answering requests from CalFire by using all variants of H-60 helicopters from North Island, Marine Corps CH-46 and CH-53 helicopters from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Camp Pendleton, and a UH-1N helicopter from Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, flying the MH-60S, have conducted water drop missions every day of the crisis, beginning Oct. 22. The squadron had an established relationship with CalFires already in place prior to the breakout of fires in Southern California this week. Air crews from HSC-85 had trained with CalFire to become familiar with their firefighting procedures, and the squadron had cooperated with the agency to fight fires in July 2006. Navy helicopters have not only supported firefighters during the day, but also at night. According to Amaral, several other helicopter squadrons from North Island have flown night missions using infrared cameras to assess fire damage and survey areas for active fire or hidden embers. They are also on standby daily to provide search and rescue or logistics support if needed. "We are certainly putting forth the best effort we possibly can, and we wouldn't be able to do this without the help of all of the squadrons in the wing providing crews on standby and HCC watch standers. It's a team effort," said Amaral. |
 071023-N-3069F-040 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 23, 2007) - An MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, lifts a full 420-gallon extinguishing trough from a local reservoir near the raging wildfires in San Diego County. The trough is used to dump water to help fend off the fires that have already forced more than 250,000 people from their homes. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Fahey (RELEASED) |
 071023-N-3069F-029 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 23, 2007) - A civilian helicopter refills a bucket used to drop water in coordination with fire fighters and Navy pilots assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85. HSC-85 is flying two MH-60S Seahawks each specially equipped with these buckets in assistance with the firefighting efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Fahey (RELEASED) |
071023-N-3069F-023 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 23, 2007) - Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Rexford Sackett, left, and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class William Quadrino, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85, prepare to assemble a 420-gallon capacity bucket. HSC-85 flew two Navy MH-60S each specially equipped with the buckets to drop water in coordination with civilian fire fighters. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Fahey (RELEASED) |
Navy Fights Fires, Prevents Blackouts, Helps Military Families Story
Number: NNS071026-03 |
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Tankertown Photo News
Photos by Rick Pisio
RWPhotography
Photographed August 11, 2006
Report: August 13, 2006
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Museum of Aerial Firefighting Needs Help
The Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting in Greybull, Wyoming is running out of time.
Rick Pisio Reports...
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Updated: October 28, 2007