A mammoth in the sky, the DC-10 Tanker has been instrumental in battling the series of wildfires that scorched Arizona this week. With veteran pilot RK Smithley at the helm, the converted airliner, which once ferried passengers, now delivers up to 9,400 gallons of firefighting retardant per mission to the front lines of infernos. According to a video report from ABC15, this flying titan has reinforced efforts against blazes such as the Towers Mountain and Flying Bucket fires, which are now largely contained.
The craft, designated as 10 Tanker's 912, stands ready at Mesa Gateway Airtanker Base, to quickly join the fray when duty calls. As Smithley conveyed to 12 News, "It's the job is to back up the ground firefighters to do what they ask us to do." Crews can load the behemoth with retardant in just 20 minutes, swiftly transitioning from standby to service upon command. The flying colossus roars into action, skimming as low as 250 feet above the earth at 175 mph to ensure precision drops that relieve the burdens shouldered by firefighters on the ground.
Despite its size and power, safety remains Smithley's top priority. In an aerial ballet, 85,000 pounds of retardant is strategically dispersed in mere seconds, challenging the pilot to maintain a consistent altitude for an even spread. "My job as captain is to start and end at the same altitude, so you have a good, consistent line, and with the retardant the whole way across the drop," Smithley told 12 News.
Aside from tactical prowess, the DC-10 bears a "Wall of Fame" as a testament to the crews and efforts it has hosted. While Smithley relishes the tranquil days when wildfires cease to stir, he remains ever vigilant, echoing a call for public mindfulness amid fire seasons. "It's very boring to sit at a tanker base all day and do nothing — those are probably the best days, because nothing's burning," Smithley said. The Mesa Gateway Airtanker Base continues to be the steel bird's roost, readying to soar wherever the Forest Service directs its flight next.
