By Lt. David Shark, 302nd Air Expeditionary Group
LEMOORE, Calif. (NNS) -- The "High Rollers" of Helicopter Sea Support Squadron 85 are currently supporting multiple operations around the globe, but members of the squadron are also working stateside to help tame raging fires in California.
Detachments of MH-60S helicopters and personnel from HSC-85 are in Hawaii supporting the Rim of the Pacific 2008 exercise, also known as RIMPAC, and flying air ambulance missions in Kuwait.
Another detachment is in California, helping the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) as they fight to contain wildfires across the state. The squadron, which rendered similar assistance in 2007, deployed to Naval Air Station Lemoore July 1 and began firefighting missions the following day.
Aircrews from HSC-85 completed annual firefighting training with CAL FIRE as recently as May 2008. Aircrews practice coordination with firefighting officials during such training, learning how military helicopters fit into the overall firefighting effort.
This year, crewmembers also practiced setting up fire shelters, in case a helicopter has to make an emergency landing in an active fire area.
"We have a great relationship with CAL FIRE," said Cmdr. Mike Newman, the executive officer of HSC-85. "Because of our annual training, we have built a lot of personal relationships, and we get along very well."
Close coordination is essential on firefighting missions. A military coordinator, known as a MILCO, in another aircraft leads the Navy helicopter to the area of the desired drop point. From there, the aircrew evaluates the wind, the terrain and the performance of the aircraft to develop a plan of attack.
Once the helicopter flies towards the drop point, it is up to the aircrewman in the back of the helicopter to release the water from the 420-gallon bucket hanging below.
"As a Reserve organization, we have a lot of folks who love to fly. That's what brought us back [to the Navy Reserve]," Newman said. "Firefighting missions are tremendously rewarding because you are protecting people and their property. You are helping people out."
As of July 11, the High Rollers have flown 38 firefighting sorties, making 104 drops and delivering approximately 40,000 gallons of water to critical fire areas to support ground firefighters. All firefighting missions have been flown on the basin fire near Big Sur.
HSC-85 is flying firefighting missions along with CH-53E helicopters from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 and CH-46E helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron (HMMT) 164 and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 268. Combined, the military helicopters have made 574 air drops, delivering more than 217,000 gallons of water on wildfires in California.
The Navy and Marine Corps helicopters are conducting firefighting missions as part of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group, which also includes firefighting aircraft from the Air Force Reserve and various Air National Guard units. The 302nd AEG is part of a unified military support effort of U.S. Northern Command to provide assistance to the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE and the National Interagency Fire Center.
