Fires

Take a peek inside the fleet of C-130s that Cal Fire is converting to fight wildfires

By Hector Amezcua

Tanker 122, Cal Fire’s first operational C-130H, was on full display Thursday at Cal Fire’s aviation headquarters at McClellan Airport.

The aircraft is one of seven C-130 Hercules that the department received from the U.S. Coast Guard. With the ability to carry 4,000 gallons of fire retardant, It will be used as an initial attack aircraft to fight wildfires.

It joins other fixed-wing aircraft in the department’s fleet that started in military service, including the OV-10 air tactical aircraft, first used for close air support to ground forces and counterinsurgency by the U.S. Navy, and the S-2T air tanker, which was originally used for carrier-based anti-submarine warfare.

The S-2T carries 1,200 gallons of fire retardant, much less than the C-130H.

“We get to take these aircraft that still have a lot of usefulness and utility left in them,” said Stu Sprung, Cal Fire’s chief of flight operations. “We strip them down to the rivets and the bare metal and build them back up to almost new aircraft.”

Cal Fire gives a tour of the first of its new C-130H air tankers on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at its aviation headquarters in McClellan Airport. This 1984 airframe is the first of seven planes to be converted.
Cal Fire gives a tour of the first of its new C-130H air tankers on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, at its aviation headquarters in McClellan Airport. This 1984 airframe is the first of seven planes to be converted. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
A Cal Fire employee works on the interior of a 1984 C-130H air tanker on Thursday. The aircraft is being retrofitted to hold a 4,000-gallon tank for flame retardant.
A Cal Fire employee works on the interior of a 1984 C-130H air tanker on Thursday. The aircraft is being retrofitted to hold a 4,000-gallon tank for flame retardant. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Cal Fire workers prepare a C-130 airframe built in 1984 for its new role as an air tanker on Thursday at McClellan Airport.
Cal Fire workers prepare a C-130 airframe built in 1984 for its new role as an air tanker on Thursday at McClellan Airport. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Jeremy Sweitzer, a lead C-130 flight engineer for Cal Fire, sits in the cockpit as he gives a tour of the newly converted air tankers on Thursday at McClellan Airport.
Jeremy Sweitzer, a lead C-130 flight engineer for Cal Fire, sits in the cockpit as he gives a tour of the newly converted air tankers on Thursday at McClellan Airport. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
A 4,000-gallon tank installed in a Cal Fire C-130H is ready to douse wildfires on Thursday at McClellan Airport.
A 4,000-gallon tank installed in a Cal Fire C-130H is ready to douse wildfires on Thursday at McClellan Airport. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
A Cal Fire worker sands the frame that will hold a 4,000 gallon tank on one of the C-130H air tankers on Thursday at McClellan Airport.
A Cal Fire worker sands the frame that will hold a 4,000 gallon tank on one of the C-130H air tankers on Thursday at McClellan Airport. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Cal Fire’s Ron Porten sands a part for a C-130H air tanker on Thursday at McClellan Airport as work is being completed on one of seven tankers.
Cal Fire’s Ron Porten sands a part for a C-130H air tanker on Thursday at McClellan Airport as work is being completed on one of seven tankers. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Jeremy Sweitzer, a lead C-130 flight engineer for Cal Fire, gives a tour of the newly converted air tankers on Thursday at McClellan Airport.
Jeremy Sweitzer, a lead C-130 flight engineer for Cal Fire, gives a tour of the newly converted air tankers on Thursday at McClellan Airport. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com

This story was originally published August 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Take a peek inside the fleet of C-130s that Cal Fire is converting to fight wildfires."

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