Guard Units Fight Forest Fires

National Guard units from several states have joined the effort to thwart forest fires in 10 water-starved western states. The Pentagon stated that 440 California Army National Guard soldiers were activated to assist the state’s forestry department in the fight. The troops are operating four Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems from a staging area at McClellan Air Force Base, near Sacramento, Calif. Assets from the Nevada Guard are joining them. Other units lending support are the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based 302nd Airlift Wing, the Cheyenne,Wyo.-based 153rd Airlift Wing, and the Charlotte, N.C.-based 145th Airlift Wing.