Coulson wins four-year firefighting contract

Coulson Aviation has been awarded a four-year aerial firefighting contract by the government of Western Australia (WA). It includes the provision and operation of a C-130H Hercules Airtanker, to provide fire suppression throughout the wildfire season.

The four-engine turboprop is currently being transported to Australia from the US, to be based in Busselton. It has a tank capacity of 15,000 liters.

The government of WA announced its intention to acquire a C-130 – the first of its kind to be permanently based in the state – in April of this year. The contract is being funded through an A$11 million tranche of state government funding, spread over a four-year period.

“Coulson is proud to continue to support Western Australia with our C-130, which will be one of the key assets supporting the rapidly approaching and potentially devastating bushfire season,” said Coulson Aviation Australia CEO Britt Coulson. “Western Australia is like a second home for this aircraft. It was the first place the airplane fought fire after we converted it and we’re pleased to see it return to its proving grounds,” said Coulson.