On Wednesday, Jan. 8, Pentagon officials announced that Navy helicopters from Naval Air Station North Island will join other firefighting helicopters over Southern California.
The MH-60S Seahawk helicopters, operated by various squadrons at the San Diego base, are being readied for deployment, according to Navy spokesman Steve Fiebing. The Palisades, Eaton Hurst, and Lidia fires are currently raging over thousands of acres and have led to the destruction of numerous structures.
Fiebing mentioned, “We’re working out the logistics,” referring to the timeline for their journey up the coast to assist National Guard units from California and Nevada.
Earlier in the day, both the Department of Defense and the White House released statements regarding the deployment of Navy aircraft.
The MH-60s are particularly valuable because they can transport cargo using slings beneath the aircraft, which is ideal for carrying water buckets. The squadrons regularly train with these buckets throughout the year, making them experienced allies for civilian fire departments, Fiebing noted.
While the Navy typically utilizes these helicopters for troop transport in combat zones, search and rescue missions from aircraft carriers, and combat operations, their involvement in civilian firefighting is not a usual practice. However, there is an existing agreement with Cal Fire for support, Fiebing explained.
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