May 1, 2022 · The last of the Firewatch Cobras at Redding, CA, N109Z, has been hauled off. The last of the Firewatch Cobra helicopters have been dismantled and were hauled away last week at Redding, California. After 19 years, the U.S. Forest Service shut down the Firewatch Cobra helicopter program. Most of the electronic components were boxed up and sent to Boise. N109z and N107Z were retired after their ...

CAL FIRE's Aviation Program is vital in firefighting efforts. Utilizing a fleet of air tankers, helicopters, and uncrewed aerial systems, the program enhances firefighting capabilities, improves situational awareness, and supports ground crews in efficiently battling wildfires.

Oct 18, 2021 · Firewatch Cobra, N109Z. Still image from VICE video. September, 2021. After 19 years, the U.S. Forest Service has shut down the Firewatch Cobra helicopter program. The two Cobras, N109z and N107Z, were retired after their last flight Saturday October 16. They were retrofitted Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters, two of the 25 that the U.S. Forest Service acquired from the military. Most of the ...

Oct 19, 2021 · An iconic aircraft has been stood down from its duty in support of aerial firefighting operations, with the retirement of the adapted AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships operated for almost two decades by the U.S. Forest Service. The red-and-white painted AH-1s had been used as firewatch aircraft, using a variety of sensors to monitor the …

Oct 20, 2021 · The Forest Service took ownership of 25 retired Cobra attack helicopters 19 years ago as part of a new program to combat wildfires.

Jan 11, 2025 · In order to reach remote fires in the State Responsibility Area, CAL FIRE maintains a fleet of firefighting aircraft, many of which were converted from or originally designed as military aircraft.

Mission The Vietnam-era army attack helicopters have been striped of their weapons and lasers. Cameras and infrared sensors have been added to convert them to Cobra Firewatch Helicopters. In 1996, the U.S. Army retired 25 of its Cobra helicopters, …

The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a single-engined attack helicopter developed and manufactured by the American rotorcraft manufacturer Bell Helicopter. A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 is also referred to as the HueyCobra or Snake. The AH-1 was rapidly developed as an interim gunship in response to the United States Army 's needs in the Vietnam War. It used the same engine, transmission ...

Jan 16, 2025 · CAL FIRE maintains the largest civilian fleet of firefighting aircraft in the world. Meet the aircraft and find out how they are used.

3 days ago · SACRAMENTO -- Stepping into a virtual world to stay safe in the real one, Cal Fire is using augmented reality technology to train flight crews for life-or-death emergencies. The new helicopter and ...