Lt. Col. H.T. Rakgantswana (rak-en-swana) of the Botswana Defense Force observes a flight crew controlling a C-130 aircraft operated by the 145th Airlift Wing, based in Charlotte embarking on a Modular Aerial Fire Fighting training Mission from the Arizon

Tuscon, AZ. Lt. Col. H.T. Rakgantswana (rak-en-swana) (left) of the Botswana Defense Force observes a flight crew controlling a C-130 aircraft operated by the 145th Airlift Wing, based in Charlotte embarking on a Modular Aerial Fire Fighting training Mission from the Arizona Air National Guard Base at Tucson International Airport. Members of the Botswana Defense Force Air Arm, North Carolina?s partner in the State Partnership Program have joined members of the 145th AW as they and three other Airlift Wings from Colorado, California and Wyoming participate in Annual training exercises this week in Coronado National Park and the Southeastern Arizona region. The Botswana government intends to adopt a similar fire fighting program of their own soon, and is using the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge about the aerial procedure. Rakgantswana is from Thebephatshwa Air Base in Thebephatshwa, Botswana.