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Airtanker Base Operations Unit

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ABOU decorative banner. An airtanker sits on the tarmac of an airtanker base while people look at the burning mountains in the distance.
Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Airtanker Base Operations Unit (ABOU) provides national leadership in all areas of interagency airtanker base operations. The ABOU 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.

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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.

Save the Date

Airtanker Base and SEAT Manager Workshop scheduled at NAFRI in Tucson on January 14–16, 2026

2025 ABOU Update

ABOU (formerly IABS) Update 2025 PowerPoint Presentation

 

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Airtanker Frequently Asked Questions

Read our airtanker frequently asked questions.

Guidance Documents

ABOU (formerly IABS) 2025 Standard Operating Procedures

Airtanker Ground Maneuvering and Parking Considerations

Forms

Comments for PMS 507 and PMS 508:

Comments for Six Minutes for Safety 

ABOU Working Group Sign Up Form (01/26)

2026 Airtanker Program – QR Code Menu (updated 01/26)

Interagency Aviation Training

2025 SEAT-Single Engine Scooper OAS Inspectors (updated 04/25)

2026 Contracted Airtanker/Scooper Return to Contract Availability AMI Contacts (updated 01/26)

2025 New Airtanker Base Checklist (updated 03/25)

2025 Airtanker Base Risk Assessment GAR (updated 06/25)

2025 Airtanker Risk Assessment Rollout Sheet

2022 Airtanker Overfilling or Overloading Direction

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

2020 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

2021 CAL FIRE 8300 Handbook

NWCG Aircraft Dispatch Form

OAS Safety Library

Airtanker Loading Procedures and Risk Assessments

ABOU Risk Assessments

10 Tanker Air Carrier Documents

Aero-Flite, Inc. Documents

Coulson Aviation Documents

Erickson Aero Tanker Documents

Neptune Aviation Services Documents

ABOU 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: Matthews, Cindy

NWCG Coordinator: Schultz, Dave

Parent Committee: Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule:

TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

2025/2026 Leadership Campaign Quarter 2 Now Available!

Date: February 13, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Leadership Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the Quarter Two materials for the 2025/2026 Wildland Fire Leadership Campaign are now available! This annual initiative invites all leadership and wildland fire management students to engage with essential skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively in dynamic environments.

This quarter focuses on Leadership Level 2: New Leader (Conveying Intent). Conveying intent is a crucial leadership competency in the high-risk, dynamic environment of wildland firefighting. Months 4 - 6 will concentrate on how successfully conveying intent enhances situational awareness, promotes shared understanding, and empowers firefighters to exercise initiative and adapt to changing conditions.

References:

2025/2026 NWCG Leadership Campaign - Leadership Levels

Wildland Fire Leadership Development Program

Leadership Committee

Opportunity to Serve the Wildland Fire Community as an IPTM SME!

Date: February 10, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: NWCG SME Specialist

NWCG is seeking experienced wildland firefighters and support personnel to serve as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) initiative. The intent of IPTM is to transition NWCG’s training and qualification system to a performance-based model through updated position descriptions, Incident Position Standards, Next Generation Position Task Books (Next Gen PTBs), and updates to training where needed.

NWCG is currently recruiting SMEs for the following positions:

  • Aircraft Timekeeper (ATIM)
  • Compensation/Claims Unit Leader (COMP)
  • Cost Unit Leader (COST)
  • Crew Representative (CREP)
  • Deck Coordinator (DECK)
  • Fire Effects Monitor (FEMO)
  • Field Observer (FOBS)
  • Geographic Information System Specialist (GISS)
  • Ordering Manager (ORDM)
  • Receiving/Distribution Manager (RCDM)
  • Staging Area Manager (STAM)

Projects begin April/May 2026 and require 15–20 hours per month for 6–8 months, including a five-day workshop in Boise, Idaho this May. Apply by February 27, 2026, at the link below and review the attached document for details.

References:

NWCG SME Interest Sign-up

IPTM Subject Matter Expert Duties and Expectations Document

Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM)

NEW! M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) Course Available Now

Date: January 29, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Resource Advisor Subcommittee

NWCG is pleased to announce the new M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) course is now available. This training supports individuals working towards Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) incident qualifications.

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led) training prepares students to serve as a Resource Advisor, Fireline (REAF) as defined in NWCG Incident Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112. This course presents scenarios that reflect the diverse challenges a REAF may encounter during an incident. Through these scenarios, participants gain hands-on experience and an understanding of REAF responsibilities in a controlled learning environment.

References:

Resource Advisor, Fireline Position Page

NWCG Position Standards for Resource Advisor, Fireline, PMS 350-112

M-280, Resource Advisor, Fireline (Instructor-Led)

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

Date: January 23, 2026
Questions? 
Please contact: Incident and Position Standards Committee

The Incident and Position Standards Committee has updated the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1.

These updates address changes to incident position names and requirements for qualification, training, and experience. Updates related to the implementation of Complex Incident Management (CIM) and Incident Performance Training Modernization (IPTM) are also included.

The NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308 has also been updated to reflect the recent changes.

References:

NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1

NWCG Wildland Fire Position Qualification Flowchart, PMS 308

IPSC Memo 26-01: January 2026 Updates to the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Positions Qualifications, PMS 310-1