Colorado Guard Troops Battle Black Forest 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 Troops Battle Black Forest Fire 06/12/2013 05:57 PM CDT Colorado Guard Troops Battle Black Forest Fire From a Colorado National Guard News Release CENTENNIAL, Colo., June 12, 2013 - Personnel from the Colorado National Guard are continuing to assist civil authorities today with firefighting support at the Black Forest fire in El Paso County, Colo. A total of three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, each equipped with an aerial firefighting bucket capable of carrying and delivering nearly 500 gallons of water at a time, have dropped approximately 30,000 gallons of water on the fire so far. One LUH-72 Lakota helicopter has also been provided for aerial firefighting coordination. Thirteen members of the 1157th Firefighting Company (Engineers), along with their firefighting trucks and tenders, are also actively engaged in fighting the fire. Two Wyoming National Guard Civil Support Team personnel provided an initial commercial Internet and phone support bridge between military and civilian responders until they were relieved by eight airmen from the Colorado National Guard's Joint Incident Site Communications Capability team 16. The JISCC team will continue to support the incident command with communications support as needed. Additionally, 40 personnel from Colorado's National Guard Reaction Force have been placed at security checkpoints in the Black Forest area. The Colorado Army National Guard is operating under immediate response authority to assist the El Paso County Sheriff's Department in fighting the Black Forest fire. "It's always painful to see neighbors in harm's way," said Air Force Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, Colorado's adjutant general. "That's why domestic operations are one of the most rewarding missions we have in the National Guard. I have every confidence in the Colorado National Guard citizen-soldiers we have supporting civil authorities. Not only are most combat veterans, but they are wildfire veterans from the tragic fires of last summer." The Colorado Army National Guard helicopters and crews launched from the Army Aviation Support Facility on Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo., and are members of 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation.   Biographies: Air Force Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards Related Sites: Colorado National Guard Related Articles: Air Force Reserve C-130s Support Colorado Firefighting Effort Colorado Guard Aircrews Assist in Black Forest Fire Relief   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