Hemet-Ryan Field, California; 13 Oct 08

Hemet-Ryan Field is a small and friendly airport in the county of Riverside, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The airfield is probably best known as a base for aerial fire-fighting, with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection having an Air Attack Base at the airport.

On the day of my visit, there were serious wildfires developing North of LA, but despite the fact that they were on alert, the fire-fighting crews were happy to show me around. The base is currently home to three types of fire-fighting aircraft - two fixed wing type and one rotary.

The first of these types is the Grumman Firecat. This is a development of the S-2 Tracker anti-submarine aircraft, which was previously used widely by the US Navy, and other air arms throughout the world. Modified with turboprop engines and a system for delivering fire retardant foam, the Firecat is a popular choice in the fire-fighting role.

Each Air Attack base is typically equipped with two Firecats, serving as aerial tankers. They are assisted in the fire-fighting role by another ex-military aircraft, the OV-10 Bronco. These aircraft operate as control aircraft and carry a crew of two, a pilot and a fire chief. Typically they orbit above a fire, and control other assets by radio. These assets may include tankers such as the Firecat, fire-fighting helicopters and units on the ground.

The final component of the Air Attack base is the "Helitack" helicopter and crew. The helicopter based at Hemet Ryan is a former US Army UH-1N, modified for the firefighting role. For this role, it has tanks to carry retardent, as well as the abilty to carry a "bucket" slung beneath the aircraft. It also carries a team who can be dropped off close to a fire site, to fight the fire using a collection of equipment, such as axes and hand held extinguishers. As well as the active Huey, there is another cab used for training purposes.

Just along the ramp from the CDF facility, there was a small US Forest Service base, where there was a single CH-54 Tarhe helicopter, operated by Erickson Aircrane. The friendly crew were happy to show me around, inside and outside of the helicopter.

There is a small museum on the airfield, which was sadly closed on the day of my visit. However, it was possible to photograph a couple of the aircraft, including a former Czechoslovakian Air Force MiG-21F and a former US Navy aggressor F-5:

Hemet Ryan is also home to some classic aircraft in the form of two DC-3s and a Beech C-18. One of the DC-3s recently appeared in the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace".

Next up was the Riverside Sheriff's Dept helicopter, a former US Army OH-58 Kiowa:

Whilst photographing the Kiowa, the CDF received a "shout" and the crews hurried to the aircraft, started up and loaded with retardant. The aircraft got as far as taxying to the runway before being stood down, and returning to the ramp.

With grateful thanks to all at Hemet Ryan Air Attack base, especially to Chuck for taking the time to show me around, despite being on alert. CDF crews perform a vital role in protecting the people of California, and their professionalism is obvious to any visitor.

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