SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With a number of wildfires burning in various parts of the Golden State, California National Guard (CNG) air crews continue to assist in efforts to put out the flames. Eight CNG helicopters are currently supporting firefighting efforts. Two HH-60G Pave Hawks from the Moffett Federal Airfield-based 129th Rescue Wing and a UH-60 Black Hawk from Los Alamitos Army Aviation Support Facility (LAAASF), which were previously engaged in aerial firefighting operations in Southern California, are now en route to support firefighting effort in Northern California along with the USFS and CAL Fire.   

In Northern California, three UH-60 Black Hawks, each equipped with The Black Hawk Toughbook transmitting Thermal Imaging from the USFS Cobra Helicopters above.  This one's propped on the giant pitot refueling tube on HH-60G 115.

The Black Hawk's based out of Mather Army Aviation Support Facility, one based out of Los Alamitos, and an additional UH-72 Lakota from Stockton Army Aviation Support Facility are supporting the firefighting effort. Another Black Hawk helicopter from Mather, specially equipped as an air ambulance, is on standby to perform medical evacuation duties if required.

Since Tuesday, Aug. 7, these aircraft have flown more than 500 flight missions and have strategically dropped more than 265,000 gallons of water on fires.  The Army UH-60 Black Hawk and Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk carry a 660-gallon-capacity water bucket, which is operated by the flight crew chief and CalFire manager onboard the aircraft.  The UH-72 Lakota is a light-utility helicopter, which serves as an aerial observation platform.  With the lead pilot as Pilot in Command, the Pilot in the right seat navigates and monitors fly by wire systems using the Touch Screen Laptop to relay information to ensure the fire path is tracked and suppressed.  One tool used during the Fire Fighting effort is the the Panasonoic BLACK HAWK Toughbook which allows streaming of TOPO images necessary to track fire direction initiated by the USFS Cobra Helicopters.  The Retired AH-1Fs from the US Army have been converted into Firewatch Cobras with infrared and low light sensors and systems for real time fire monitoring.  With heat Imaging, hotspots can be detected and that data can be sent to the GARMIN TOPO USGS Maps of the area.  This allow safe water drops during poor visibility.  No longer are hand held charts used when navigating  in a smoke rich environment.  Black Hawk's 3D TOPO imaging supplies the streaming video to teams below.  Each Black Hawk uses computer based onboard systems, however these systems are dedicated to way-points and fuel consumption.  Before each mission a USB card is inserted into the CF-18 and CF-19 Black Hawk Toughbooks showing the current fire conditions, based on humidity, wind speed, and terrain. Each machine flies a with a crew ensuring containment over vital resources like homes and other commercial out buildings.  The Laptop is teathered to a Wireless Internet Connection and in real time, the co-pilot can punch into the LCD Touch Screen hot spots that are growing requiring additional support most often from smoke jumpers. 

Below is the C-130  with its Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS)-equipped in the rear of the C-130 Super Hercules airplanes which are staged at McClellan Air Park near Sacramento. This aircraft  is from the Channel Island Air National Guard Station-based 146th Airlift Wing (AW).  Others are from as far away as the North Carolina Air National Guard’s 145th AW.

Black Hawk Toughbooks  used in these Firefighting Operations are ISO-9000 certified.  Black Hawk Toughbook Laptop Computers must adhere to strict standards.  Black Hawk Toughbook USA does not  tinker  with or install home made devices into any laptop not listed within  the products original manual.  This strict adherence  allows Black Hawk to obtain State and Federal contracts requiring all original equipment.  Each component of our laptops are backed by an extensive warranty offered to all customers.  Black Hawk Toughbooks USA use the best  technology allowing  the highest resale value of all Professionally Refurbished Toughbooks.   A refurbished  Black Hawk Toughbook can offer options like a Touch Screen LCD, Rubber  Backlit Keyboard, single or dual core Intel Processors, CF-18,  CF-19,  CF-29 and CF-30 models.  Each machine requires the signature Rubber Knobby Protector®  so customers recognize they are buying a genuine OEM  Black Hawk Refurbished Computer only available here in the USA.   Located near the Google headquarters just north of Mountain View California, Black Hawk works with local companies in the Bay Area to supply GPS Radios built by Canmore.  Manufactured at the Motorola Plant, Canmore of Tiawan ensures our customers are using the most state of the art technology for personal navigation, camping, commuting, flying or deep sea fishing.  Along with state of the art GPS receivers, each machine offers a DVD/CD-RW  Optical Drive , high speed HDD drive,  WiFi Wireless, bright LCD screens, the Rubber Knobby Protector® , and more.  The warranty  provided and service offered extends long after the sale.  Use your laptop in the mountains, streams, on 4x4 trails with the Garmin TOPO Map USA Programs, DeLorme Street Atlas and more.   Watch DVD's when camping, browse the net over a crackling fire, plan and print a hiking map, these are just a few reasons customers choose our machines.  Just  flip the switch and the Laptop is ready to go right out of the box.  Unlike most computers built  6 years ago which end up in landfills.  Black Hawk Toughbook  are easier on our environment as they hold value, sustain battery life longer  than any other laptop, and their failure rates are less than 2% compared to the industry average beyond 20%.