New York Army National Guard trains Black Hawk crews for aerial firefighting
UH-60M crews practiced water-bucket operations alongside Forest Rangers as part of refresher training for aerial wildfire response
New York Army National Guard aviation crews have conducted aerial firefighting training with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers.
The exercise took place near the Hudson River in Schuylerville, New York, on 18 September, with crews flying Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from Army Aviation Support Facility #3 at Albany International Airport.
During the training, aircrews practiced operating 560gal (2,120L) Bambi Buckets suspended beneath the helicopters. The equipment enables crews to collect and release water from the air during wildfire response operations.
Images released by the New York National Guard show Black Hawk crews conducting low-level operations and water drops over the training area.
The exercise was carried out alongside DEC Forest Rangers, providing an opportunity for military aviation crews and state wildfire personnel to practice the procedures required for coordinated aerial firefighting operations.
The refresher training also allowed crews to maintain proficiency in external-load operations, which require pilots and crewmembers to manage a suspended bucket beneath the aircraft while maneuvering at low altitude.
New York Army National Guard UH-60M helicopters can be called on to support state authorities during emergencies, with aerial firefighting among the missions for which crews train.
Siân Yates
Siân Yates is News Editor at Voyageur Group and Editor of International Hospitals & Healthcare (IH&H). She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism, and has written across healthcare, travel, food and beverage, science and technology, and environmental topics. Her passion lies in magazine creation and editorial management.