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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.
     

2024 IABS Update

IABS Update 2024 PowerPoint Presentation

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Airtanker Frequently Asked Questions

Read our airtanker frequently asked questions.

Guidance Documents

IABS 2024 Standard Operating Procedures

Airtanker Ground Maneuvering and Parking Considerations

Forms

Comments for both of these publications:

USFS Airtanker Program – QR Code Menu

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

BLM SEAT/Fire Boss (Single Engine Scooper) Inspectors (updated 07/24)

2024 Airtanker AMI Return to Contract Availability List (updated 07/24)

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: Interagency Airtanker and Scooper Operations Subcommittee

Meeting Schedule: TBD

Page Last Modified or Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

New Job Aids Available: Packing Lists for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel and Support Staff, J-101 and J-102

Date: December 3, 2024
Contact: NWCG TRAINING

Two new job aids are now available: Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101 and Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Personnel, J-102, should serve as a baseline for items needed on a wildland fire assignment. These lists will help personnel prepare for a 14 to 21-day assignment on the fireline or in a support role.

References:

Job Aid Catalog

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Fireline Personnel, J-101

NWCG Packing List for Wildland Fire Support Staff, J-102

NWCG Equipment Technology Committee Releases Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Date: November 14, 2024
Contact: Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee (ETC) has released Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention. Misaligned toolless fuel caps on Stihl chainsaws have led to recurring fuel spillage, fuel ignition, and burn injuries during wildland fire management operations.

This Safety Warning is intended to highlight the details and recommended procedures for the installation of a Stihl chainsaw toolless fuel cap, as well as how to identify and correct a misaligned, damaged, or broken fuel cap to help prevent fuel spillage.

References:

NWCG Safety Warning: 24-001 Stihl Chainsaw Toolless Fuel Cap Spill Prevention

Advertencia de equipos 24-001: Prevención de derrames de la tapa de combustible sin herramientas de la motosierra Stihl

NWCG Alerts

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51 and NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for EQTR, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Equipment Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Equipment Time Recorder, PMS 350-51

NWCG Position Task Book for Equipment Time Recorder (EQTR), PMS 311-51

The Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book are now available for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC)

Date: November 13, 2024
Contact: Incident Business Committee

NWCG is excited to announce that the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53 and NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53 are now available.

The Performance Support Package, which for PTRC, includes the Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Book were developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort. The Performance Support Package will support trainees, those qualified in the position, and evaluators.

References:

NWCG Personnel Time Recorder Position Page

NWCG Incident Position Standards for Personnel Time Recorder, PMS 350-53

NWCG Position Task Book for Personnel Time Recorder (PTRC), PMS 311-53