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NC Air National Guard Continues to Lead and Support National Forest Fire Fighting Mission

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran
  • 145th Public Affairs
Charlotte,N.C. --  With the start of any New Year comes changes and new beginnings but for Charles D. Davis III, commander of the 145th Operations Group, North Carolina Air National Guard, things will remain the same. Davis will once again command the national military mission charged with combating wildland forest fires known as the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System. He earned the post due to his leadership during the 2013 fire season, the sixth-busiest in the 41-year history of MAFFS.

As the 145th Air Expeditionary Group commander, Davis exercises control over MAFFS resources at the direction of the United States Forest Service. But when it comes to getting the C-130 Hercules aircraft off the ground and to where they are needed the most, 145 Air Expeditionary Group maintainers rely on teamwork and dedication to get the job done.

During an interview held at the North Carolina Air National Guard base, Col. Marshall C. Collins, 145th Maintenance Group commander, talked with Kate Gaier, a reporter from Time Warner Cable News, describing the rewards of supporting the 145th Operations Group and Col. Davis.

Collins, who became commander of 145th MXG in June 2012, stated, "We are proud of the fact that the 145 Airlift Wing, and Charles D. Davis III have been selected to lead the 145 Air Expeditionary Group (AEG) for a second year, and we look forward to supporting him and the job he will be doing to support the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), USAF, and other government agencies."

The Maintenance Group and associated personnel take pride in supporting the wing, state, and nation with the Fire Fighting mission. Their goal is to provide the sister units in the 145 Operations Group the best equipment to accomplish the Fire Fighting mission, state requirements, or OCONUS deployments.

Along with three other tasked MAFFS units, (146th Airlift Wing, California Air National Guard; 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard; and the 302nd Airlift Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, in Colorado), the 145th MXG is proud of the opportunity to directly support and defend the citizens of the United States.