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Interagency Airtanker Base Subcommittee

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Mission Statement

The Interagency Airtanker Base Subcommittee (IABS) provides national leadership in all areas of interagency airtanker base operations. The IABS develops and disseminates operational standards that promote safe, secure, effective, efficient airtanker base operations. These standards include facility and equipment requirements, operational and administrative procedures, and personnel qualifications and training.

Primary Objectives

planes on a runway

  • Provide technical assistance regarding airtanker base operations.
  • Promote cooperation and standardization in interagency airtanker base operations.
  • Identify airtanker base issues, develop solutions, and recommend corrective actions to the National Interagency Aviation Committee (NIAC).
  • Support standardized training for airtanker base operations and provide leadership in training course development, implementation, evaluation, and revision.
  • Ensure that airtanker base standards are consistent with member agency procedures, practices, and expectations.
  • Serve as a central source of information, guidance, and support for national and geographic area airtanker base decisions and operations.
  • Provide contracting technical assistance and support as requested.

2024 IABS Update

IABS Update 2024 PowerPoint Presentation

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Airtanker Frequently Asked Questions

Read our airtanker frequently asked questions.

Guidance Documents

Standard Operating Procedures for IABS

Airtanker Ground Maneuvering and Parking Considerations

Forms

Comments for both of these publications:

 

Interagency Aviation Training: https://www.iat.gov/

2024 Airtanker AMI Return to Contract Availability List (updated 01/24)

Airtanker Out of Service Notification/Authorized Break Request QR Codes

Air Base Risk Assessment GAR

Airtanker Risk Assessment Rollout Sheet

Airtanker Overfilling or Overloading Direction

Interagency Aviation Lessons Learned 17-06 Equipment Foul Lines and Foul Boxes at Airtanker Bases

How to read mass flow meter printouts

Enterprise Geospatial Portal - Used for FLIGHT and the NWCG Airtanker Base Directory, PMS 507

U. S. Forest Service and Interagency Aviation Publications

CAL FIRE 8300 Handbook

NWCG Aircraft Dispatch Form

Airtanker Loading Procedures and Risk Assessments

IABS Risk Assessments

10 Tanker Air Carrier Documents

Aero-Flite, Inc. Documents

Coulson Aviation Documents

Erickson Aero Tanker Documents

Neptune Aviation Services Documents

IABS thanks 10 Tanker Air Carrier, Aero-Flite, Inc., Coulson Aviation, Erickson Aero Tanker, and Neptune Aviation Services for allowing NWCG to post this material

 

Chair: Justin Bohannan

NWCG Coordinator: Dave Schultz

Parent Committee: National Interagency Aviation Committee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

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Date: April 01, 2024
Contact: NWCG Webmaster

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group is thrilled to announce a significant upgrade to https://www.nwcg.gov, involving a comprehensive redesign of over 7,000 web pages. This enhancement is focused on improving user experience. The migration to the new NWCG website will commence on April 2, 2024, starting at noon EST and is expected to take a few hours. 

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WFSTAR 2023 Year in Review and 2024 Core Component Module Packages Available

Date: March 6, 2024
Contact: Joe Schindel 

The 2023 Fire Year in Review module and 2024 Core Component Module Packages for RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR) are now available on the NWCG website. The 2024 Core Component Module Package provides all content needed to deliver RT-130.

 

References:

WFSTAR 2023 Fire Year in Review module

WFSTAR 2024 Core Component Module Packages

2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter

Date: March 6, 2024
Contact: NWCG

The NWCG Executive Board is privileged to share with you the 2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter. As we look into the future and navigate an incredibly complex and dynamic environment, we must remain focused on our mission while actively engaging in national conversations regarding numerous wildland fire initiatives. In 2024, we prioritize building upon our successes and committing to continuous improvement. Key priorities and considerations for this year include: 

  • Determining Core Workload
  • Ensuring Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Success
  • Improving Efficiencies
  • Firefighter Health and Wellness
  • Engagement in National Conversations

Together we will continue to make significant strides in the challenging and vital work that lies ahead. 

 

References:

2024 NWCG Executive Board Annual Letter

NWCG Welcomes NASA

Date: February 22, 2024
Contact: NWCG

NWCG welcomes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as an associate member.

“As wildfires become larger and more frequent, NASA is working to apply our scientific and technological knowledge toward this national challenge, and integral to our approach is forging collaborative partnerships,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. 

 

References:

NASA News Release

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