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National Guard fights California wildfires, additional assets remain on standby

By Matthew Olay, DOD NewsJanuary 15, 2025

March Field Fire Emergency Services from March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley, Calif., assisted in fire suppression efforts against the Eaton Fire in the Altadena Neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2025. Firefighters Ruben Anaya,...
March Field Fire Emergency Services from March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley, Calif., assisted in fire suppression efforts against the Eaton Fire in the Altadena Neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2025. Firefighters Ruben Anaya, Dakota Christensen, Brandon Dubous, Michael Goodman, and Jack Cools were assigned to Strike Team 6050A, Division N, performed overhaul duties to locate and extinguish residual fires and hot spots, preventing potential reignition and to report sensitive discoveries such as human remains or deceased pets. (Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Pagan) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON — Soldiers and airmen from California's Army National Guard and Air National Guard spent the weekend combating the multiple wildfires that have been wreaking destruction in Los Angeles County for the past week.

"As the situation with the devastating California wildfires continues to evolve, [Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III] remains closely engaged and committed to supporting the response efforts," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told the media during a briefing today.

"The department remains committed to providing assistance and support to those affected by the wildfires," Ryder added. "And we'll continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to respond to this disaster as we enter the final days of the current administration."

California National Guard Soldiers of the 40th Military Police Company, 49th MP Brigade, conduct preventive maintenance checks and services on an M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif.,...
California National Guard Soldiers of the 40th Military Police Company, 49th MP Brigade, conduct preventive maintenance checks and services on an M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025. The California Army National Guard was activated by California Governor Gavin Newsom to assist first responders to multiple fires in the Los Angeles area. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo) VIEW ORIGINAL

There are currently eight Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft currently on station at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in nearby Ventura County working to assist in firefighting efforts, Ryder said.

The Air National Guard flew six MAFFS missions during the weekend, dropping more than 16,000 gallons of fire suppressant, Ryder said, adding that additional MAFFS missions are anticipated for today.

Ryder also said that there are now over 1,800 California National Guardsmen — up 1,000 since Friday — who have been activated to assist with firefighting efforts.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing load and install the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, or MAFFS, on to a C-130H Hercules aircraft in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jan. 10, 2025, in preparation to support firefighting efforts in...
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing load and install the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, or MAFFS, on to a C-130H Hercules aircraft in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jan. 10, 2025, in preparation to support firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area. U.S. Northern Command activated three Wyoming Air National Guard C-130s equipped with MAFFS and associated personnel to assist firefighting efforts in California. MAFFS, developed by the U.S. Forest Service, are portable fire-retardant delivery systems that convert C-130s into airtankers, capable of releasing up to 3,000 gallons of retardant in under five seconds. (Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Herold) VIEW ORIGINAL

Between both the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, deployed assets in addition to the C-130s include rotary wing aircraft, hand crews and military police that are working to supplement local law enforcement, Ryder said.

Meanwhile, Ryder said that 500 active-duty Marines stationed to the south at San Diego County's Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and 10 active-duty Navy helicopters equipped with water delivery buckets remain standing by to assist with relief efforts, if called upon.

When questioned as to why California's government still has yet to request assistance from those active-duty assets, Ryder said that — while he won't speak for California — the Defense Department is doing all it can to "lean forward" to support the needs of the federal agencies involved in wildfire relief efforts.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alessandro Panighetti, an HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter crew chief from the 129th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, watches sunrise, on the ramp at Los Alamitos Army...
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Alessandro Panighetti, an HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter crew chief from the 129th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, watches sunrise, on the ramp at Los Alamitos Army Airfield on Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, California, before traveling with the aircrew on a repositioning flight to a CAL FIRE helibase, Jan. 11, 2025. Panighetti and other maintainers are traveling with two of the wing’s helicopters activated in support of aerial firefighting efforts for the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. (Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Crystal Housman) VIEW ORIGINAL

"These [active duty] assets are available to be introduced into that mix … But we've got to do this in a choreographed way that synchronizes capabilities instead of [introducing] problems to an already complex situation on the ground," Ryder said.

"We're going to continue to closely monitor, and as soon as — and if — those assets are requested, they'll, of course, be available," he continued.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon, Jan. 13, 2025.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder conducts a press briefing at the Pentagon, Jan. 13, 2025.
(Photo Credit: DOD photo by Senior Airman Madelyn Keech)
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When asked approximately how long DOD would be willing to have those assets on standby without any request for assistance before standing down, Ryder replied that — though he wouldn't speculate on the future — U.S. Northern Command is working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other interagency leads to make an "hour-by-hour, day-by-day determination" as to what the additional requirements of DOD, if any, may be.

"We understand the significance and devastation of these fires," Ryder responded, "and the [Defense Department] is going to do everything we can to support all those who are battling these fires; to include having [these active-duty capabilities] available, should [they] be requested."