Colorado Guard Helicopters Battle East Peak Fire

You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Colorado Guard Helicopters Battle East Peak Fire 06/21/2013 10:27 AM CDT Colorado Guard Helicopters Battle East Peak Fire From a Colorado National Guard News Release CENTENNIAL, Colo., June 21, 2013 - Two Colorado Army National Guard helicopters are assisting civil authorities in combating the East Peak fire near Walsenburg in Huerfano County, Colo. Colorado Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Edwin Wiley directs a bucket drop on the Black Forest fire from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in El Paso County, Colo., June 12, 2013. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Darin Overstreet (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Yesterday, the fast-burning fire had spread over 1,000 acres and led to the evacuation of 178 Boy Scouts from a local camp, according to the Denver Post. The two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters fighting the blaze are each equipped with a specialized bucket capable of dropping as much as 500 gallons of water at a time. One helicopter is from the Colorado National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility on Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo., and the other is from the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Gypsum, Colo. The Colorado Army National Guard is assisting the Huerfano County Sheriff's Office in fighting the East Peak fire. "Our Guard members live and work in communities across the state, we're always ready help our neighbors in their time of need," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Peter J. Byrne, commander of the standing Joint Task Force-Centennial. "That's why we serve." Biographies: Air Force Brig. Gen. Peter J. Byrne Related Sites: Colorado National Guard Related Articles: Officials Release Colorado Guard Crews From Fire Lanes   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense