Use Of Water Buckets Enhances Capabilities

Pilots from the Louisiana National Guard’s 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group (TAOG) partnered with Louisiana State Police (LSP) pilots for training in the use of water buckets for aerial firefighting.

The training was held at the Joint Emergency Services Training Center in Zachary, Louisiana, with the goal of enhancing the capabilities of LSP to respond to wildfires. A large water bucket is a tool specialized for aerial firefighting and is suspended from a helicopter to drop large quantities of water to extinguish fires in inaccessible remote areas.

The LANG personnel demonstrated techniques for operating the bucket, including strategic firefighting maneuvers and precision water drops.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dino Parmentier, state standardization officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 204th said, “By equipping the Louisiana State Police with the expertise to effectively employ the Bambi Bucket, we are enhancing our joint capability to address and mitigate wildfires statewide.”

Keith Gros, LSP Command Pilot said, “The Louisiana State Police Air Support Unit values and appreciates our partnership with the Louisiana Army National Guard. LANG’s experience and collaboration with our pilots enhance LSP’s capabilities and helps keep our communities safe. We look forward to additional training opportunities with our public safety partners.”

The collaboration accentuates the ongoing efforts of both organizations to strengthen interagency cooperation and emergency response capabilities. The partnership also highlights the commitment of both LANG and LSP to community safety.

FMI:  www.nationalguard.mil/