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East Texas Regional Airport serves vital role in
fighting Texas wildfires |
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| 09.09. 2011 |
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The engineers at KSA Engineers, Inc. are fortunate to work in an environment that many children only dream about as they are growing up and discovering the world of aviation. Our employees work daily on airports throughout our region, interacting with pilots, airport managers, and State and Federal aviation officials. Throughout our 33 years in the business, we have seen the value of the nation’s airport system. Whether it is providing a new business with the transportation support that it needs to manage its satellite operations or providing a base of transportation operation during the response to emergencies, airports play a vital role.
The ongoing air tanker operation base at the East Texas Regional Airport south of Longview, Texas, is a perfect example of the important role that airports play in emergency response. This week, the terminal apron at the East Texas Regional Airport has been transformed into a strategic base for the United States Forest Service’s response to the wildfires throughout Texas. East Texas Regional was chosen as one of two airports in Texas, the other being in Abilene, to be used by the USFS for their command center in order to dispatch air tankers throughout the state.
The aircraft currently being dispatched from the East Texas Regional Airport include the P-3 Neptune, the CL215 water tanker, and an Air Tractor. Rickey Hughes, Air Tanker Base Manager with USFS, tells us that a DC-10 has been contracted and will be placed in either Abilene or Longview on September 10, 2011. Fire retardant is being mixed and loaded on the aircraft on the terminal apron and the local FBOs are providing fueling services.
"East Texas Regional has been a great asset in our fight against these wildfires," Rickey said. "They've been very supportive, giving us enough space to work, and anything else we've needed. We've been fighting fires almost nonstop for the last couple of days, but we're making a difference thanks to the airport and our pilots."
We are very thankful that these air assets are being used to fight the devastating wildfires across Texas, and we wish safety and success to the USFS and all the local and state firefighters working so hard throughout Texas in battling these wildfires. |
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