Colorado National Guard Supports Spring Fire Operations

From CO National Guard: By order of the Governor, 32 Colorado National Guard members assisted the Spring Fire incident Commander with traffic control points in Costillo County beginning July 1, 2018.With the addition of 30 members requested for arrival July 3, there will be 52 Colorado Army National Guard members and 10 Colorado Air National Guard members supporting security throughout the affected area.Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and crews, equipped with aerial water buckets, from the Chief Warrant Officer 5 David R. Carter Army Aviation Support Facility based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, arrived at or around 2 p.m., July 2, and are expected to conduct firefighting operations following reception and a flight briefing.

"We are here to help our neighbors in Costilla County to save lives, prevent suffering and mitigate great property damage," Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White said.The CONG has been providing an aviation search and rescue standby capability in support of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center since July 1. The High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site facility in Gypsum, Colorado, is supporting the mission which is rapid response to aviation search and rescue missions, primarily for firefighter safety, in support of multiple wildfire responses throughout Colorado.On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force - Centennial commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage.For information about the:Spring Fire, go to www.Twitter.com/SpringFire2018, www.Facebook.com/SpringFire2018, or 719-695-9604 (East side only)Colorado National Guard, visit www.co.ng.mil, Twitter @CONG1860, or Facebook @CONG1860. Also follow #SpringFire #SpringCreekFire and #cofire.

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