05/24/2026
Today we spotlight the Air Tanker Base team.
This role is an important part of the aerial attack strategy of fighting wildfires. They are the team on the ground, ensuring the air tankers have what they need to stay in the air.
Every time the air tankers are called in, it is the ATB crew who loads the planes with retardant, provides information on their mission, and gives them the all clear. This is done quickly and efficiently, allowing for a fast response to the request for assistance on the wildfire.
Over the course of a busy shift, the ATB crew may load then reload a variety of planes, each time, the plane is running, and each plane is a little different in its set up, so they need to be hyper alert. They will monitor and order, fuel or retardant, keep pilots and crew informed on fires and weather, and maintain the cleanest base around. Some bases look after the meals and accommodations for the flight crew when working in their area.
Without the work of the ATB crew on the ground, the air tankers would not be in the air.
Thank you to the ATB crew, your work is an important part of the wildfire effort.
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