Colorado Guard Continues Efforts in Wildfire Battle

You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Colorado Guard Continues Efforts in Wildfire Battle 06/26/2013 03:20 PM CDT Colorado Guard Continues Efforts in Wildfire Battle From a Colorado National Guard News Release CENTENNIAL, Colo., June 26, 2013 - More than 225 Colorado National Guard soldiers and airmen are continuing support to incident commanders at fires throughout the state. Army Sgt. Nicholas Parrott of the Colorado Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, prepares a Bambi Bucket system to drop water on a wildfire in Colorado, June 21, 2013. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Darin Overstreet (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, each outfitted with a hoist, are on standby for medical evacuation and search-and-rescue operations. For the West Fork Complex Fire, the Colorado Army National Guard and Air National Guard are providing the following support: -- 14 soldiers of the 1157th Engineer Firefighting Company, along with their high-capacity off-road firefighting trucks and water tenders; -- Soldiers and airmen manning checkpoints in support of local law enforcement agencies; -- Airmen providing phone, Internet and radio communications platforms to facilitate communications between civil and military authorities; and -- Soldiers providing geographic imaging support to the incident commander. For the East Peak Fire: -- Soldiers are manning multiple checkpoints around the fire area in support of the Huerfano County Sheriff. -- 15 soldiers are providing firefighting support on wildland fire hand-crew teams; and -- Airmen are providing phone, Internet and radio communications platforms to facilitate communications between civil and military authorities.Also, the Colorado Guard is providing tents for nongovernmental organizations supporting relief and recovery efforts at the Black Forest Fire. Colorado National Guard helicopters and crews performing bucket drops ended their mission yesterday after having dropped more than 131,000 gallons of water on the East Peak fire.   Related Sites: Colorado National Guard   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense