The Tennessee National Guard has mobilized its aerial assets to actively support firefighting efforts in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as wildfires continue to char the region. According to a recent report from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters belonging to Knoxville's 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion have been dispatched from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base starting August 27.
These helicopters, equipped with Bambi Buckets, have been tirelessly transporting water since the afternoon of their deployment, with missions continuing through August 28. Each sortie involves the helicopters' crews to precisely navigate to scoop up water from local sources and to directly aim to deliver it onto the raging fires. The aerial operation has proved to be a substantial effort, delivering more than 40 bucket loads, which translates to nearly 8,000 gallons of water.
The battle against the flames has not ceased, with three Tennessee National Guard helicopters currently in the air today, executing tasks crucial for dampening the spread of fire. The plan is for the aircraft to persist in these crucial sorties until the end of the day, providing much-needed support to the ground crews below. The intensive operation reflects the Guard's readiness to engage in sustained assistance for as long as the situation demands.
