As California prepares for another wildfire season, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of the state’s fourth C-130 Hercules (C-130H) airtanker and the opening of a new helitack base.
Both new additions will be stationed at the Ramona Airport in San Diego County, where they will support wildfire suppression efforts in the state.
The new helitack base, California’s 11th helitack facility, will host a Sikorsky S70i Fire Hawk helicopter and a dedicated CAL Fire crew trained for rapid wildfire response, according to the governor’s office.
‘The addition of this fourth C-130 Hercules airtanker to our world-class fleet, combined with the historic establishment of our 11th Helitack base, significantly enhances the rapid, aggressive response needed to save lives and protect our natural resources,” Governor Newsom said in a statement on June 4.
The Ramona Helitack Base represents a major expansion of CAL Fire’s rotary-wing capabilities, according to the governor’s office.
NEW: @CAGovernor Gavin Newsom continues to expand the world’s largest civilian firefighting fleet — bringing on the state’s 4th C-130 and 11th helitack base, which house the state’s Sikorsky S70i Fire Hawk helicopters.
This “significantly enhances the rapid, aggressive response… pic.twitter.com/7GbLzLKpZs
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) June 4, 2026
Following intensive training, the milestone adds a permanent base for highly skilled CAL Fire Helitack crew and Fire Hawk operations in San Diego County, increasing both regional and statewide response capacity.
Positioning the C-130H airtanker and the Sikorsky S70i Fire Hawk at the Ramona Air Attack Base helps the state to maximize its tactical capabilities and maintain flexibility to increase the assets throughout the state, according to the governor’s office.
The strategic deployment builds upon a deep operational legacy, which was established in 1957.
Ramona is the oldest air attack base in the department’s system and will now expand its permanent fleet to five aircraft, according to the statement.
The final integration phase is expected to conclude over the next few weeks. Additional operational and mission-specific training will continue at the Ramona base to ensure support crews, pilots, and technicians are fully integrated into the aviation program.
Crediting the personnel behind the project, CAL Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler said the launch required months of preparation by pilots, mechanics, and support crews.
“This milestone is about much more than adding advanced aircraft to our fleet; it is a testament to the dedicated people who make our mission possible,” Tyler said in the statement.
California’s Fleet of C-130H Airtankers
In 2024, California made history in the nation by owning, operating, and deploying its own fleet of C-130H Airtankers, according to the governor’s office.
The recent deployment marks the successful conversion and operational preparedness of the fourth aircraft out of a planned statewide fleet of seven.
The newly deployed fourth C-130 Hercules delivers unprecedented payload capabilities to the frontlines and can drop up to 4,000 gallons of fire retardants to fight fast-moving wildfires.
In 2018, California won approval to purchase seven C-130’s from the Coast Guard, according to the governor’s office. President Joe Biden signed legislation in late 2023 officially transferring the ownership of the seven aircraft to California.
Following the acquisition, CAL Fire completed retrofitting the aircraft for wildfire suppression operations.
The announcement comes as California continues investing in wildfire readiness, including expanded use of drones, aircraft, satellite monitoring, and advanced mapping technology aimed at improving wildfire detection and response.
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