VNG aviation crews train on aerial fire suppression during Fort Barfoot prescribed burn
Virginia National Guard aviation crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division train on aerial fire suppression with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with water buckets March 13, 2024, during a prescribed burn at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Fort Barfoot Fire and Emergency Services personnel managed the prescribed burn along with the staff from Natural Resources Division of the Fort Barfoot Department of Public Works. The prescribed burn helped to support military training by reducing fuel loads in the area, thereby lessening the risk for dangerous and intense wildfires that can be caused by incendiary devices and lead to training downtime. Other objectives of the burn were to improve wildlife habitat and timber stand improvement in forest management areas. Trained aviation crews were able to maintain currency in a more realistic environment in addition to more personnel getting required training for certification to fly water bucket missions. Read more about VNG support to fighting wildfires at ngpa.us/28915. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear)
VNG aviation crews train on aerial fire suppression during Fort Barfoot prescribed burn
Virginia National Guard aviation crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division train on aerial fire suppression with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with water buckets March 13, 2024, during a prescribed burn at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. Fort Barfoot Fire and Emergency Services personnel managed the prescribed burn along with the staff from Natural Resources Division of the Fort Barfoot Department of Public Works. The prescribed burn helped to support military training by reducing fuel loads in the area, thereby lessening the risk for dangerous and intense wildfires that can be caused by incendiary devices and lead to training downtime. Other objectives of the burn were to improve wildlife habitat and timber stand improvement in forest management areas. Trained aviation crews were able to maintain currency in a more realistic environment in addition to more personnel getting required training for certification to fly water bucket missions. Read more about VNG support to fighting wildfires at ngpa.us/28915. (U.S. National Guard photo by Cotton Puryear)