We don't always see the tankers (intial attack)

Someone sees a small fire, doesn’t matter how it started. Word goes out to the nearest CAL FIRE tanker base, a S-2T tanker and the OV-10 air attack plane are dispatched. The OV-10 arrives first followed in short order by the S-2T tanker. Air Attack communicates with the tanker pilot telling him where to make his first retardant drop, asking him to drop a half load. The tanker pilot flies his pattern and makes his drop. Around this time the wildland firefighters arrive and their incident commander (IC) communicates with Air Attack, discussing the fire. IC tells his crew where to start digging line and tells Air Attack where he wants the second drop, the tanker pilot drops what is left of his retardant as directed by Air Attack and the IC. The IC tells Air Attack that he wants the tanker to come back, doing what is known as a load and return (with more retardant). Air attack continues to circle overhead talking to the IC and talking to the tanker. The tanker returns, makes a couple of more drops as directed by Air Attack and the IC. One more load and return is ordered by Air Attack before Air Attack sends him back to base, satisfied the fire is near containment. Time elapsed maybe an hour or two. Maybe your only witness to your actions, aside from other aircraft and the crews on the ground, were those too far away to comprehend your mission.  I'm sure you got the attention of a Coyote or two as well.  Many of us don’t need to witness your call to duty, we already know. We silently celebrate your safe mission, and silently wait for your next call.

Red Flag warning in an eastern state at the beginning of the spring fire season. The Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATS) just went on contract, AT-602’s. A small fire in the woods, grasses and trees are burning. Wildland firefighters are dispatched along with the AT-602 from the nearest base. An acre maybe two. Winds are blowing, but not strong enough to ground the SEAT. Firefighters are concerned because the winds are favoring the fire moving to some difficult to access terrain. If that happens, the fire could blow up to something bigger. The Huey arrives with her bucket. The Huey and the Air Tractor make drops in strategic areas as designated by commanders to help the efforts of the firefighters on the ground. The firefighters back burn a couple of acres in hope that the fire can be stopped at the road. Helos work hotspots. Another SEAT arrives to help. Three or four hours later the fire is contained at 25 acres, including the burn out. Maybe your only witness to your actions, aside from other aircraft and the crews on the ground, were those too far away to comprehend your mission.  I'm sure you got the attention of a Deer or two as well.  Many of us don’t need to witness your call to duty, we already know. We silently celebrate your safe mission, and silently wait for your next call.

These are hypothetical examples of initial attack. The all important initial attack that often goes unnoticed. But not by me and not by many. I may not know all the incidents where you are flying initial attack. I don’t have to, for you were there, doing what you do best, working to support the firefighters on the ground to put out the fire.