Navy helicopters from Naval Airstation North Island will join other fire-fighting helicopters in the skies over Southern California, officials at the Pentagon announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
The helicopters, known as the MH-60S Seahawk, are operated by several squadrons at the San Diego base and are being prepared to assist, said Steve Fiebing, a Navy spokesman. The Palisades, Eaton Hurst and Lidia fires are burning thousands of acres and have destroyed hundreds of structures.
“We’re working out the logistics,” Fiebing said, regarding when they would head up the coast to support National Guard units from California and Nevada.
The Department of Defense and the White House announced the use of the Navy aircraft in separate statements earlier in the day.
What makes the MH-60s so valuable, Fiebing said, is that they can carry cargo in a sling beneath the aircraft, which is perfect for holding water buckets. The squadrons operating them routinely train during the year with the buckets, he said, making them very experienced and helpful partners with civilian fire departments.
Typically, the Navy uses these helicopters to carry troops in and out of combat zones, do searches and rescues off aircraft carriers, and fight in combat.
While the Navy is not routinely involved in civilian firefighting, it does have an agreement with Cal Fire to support them, Fiebing said.
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