Good-bye Alpha 2 (Grumman Ag-Cat)

My friends at Downstown told me this morning that Alpha 2 is off contract and back at Downstown. She has been flying on contract in NJ Forest Fire Service Division A (northern NJ) since March 19.

Alpha 2, I don't know how many times you flew initial attack on a fire, arriving at a small fire and making one or maybe two drops. The fire may have been under acre. Your drops in support of the NJ Forest Fire Service firefighters (NJFFS) were crucial in bring these fires under control in a short amount of time. Initial attack on a small fire, contained at a smaller size before it could grow larger and get out of control. It doesn't matter that I don't know how often you flew initial attack. What matters is that I knew you were there, for I live in Division A.

For two weeks, from April 7 to April 20, you were joined by another Ag-Cat at your base at Andover-Aeroflex. During a very dry period with numerous Red Flag Warnings with lots of wildfires, I felt a lot safer and a little less scared knowing that the two of you were there, ready to go fly initial attack to help the NJFFS firefighters.

Alpha 2, both you and Alpha 3 made multiple drops on the fire at Picatinny Arsenal, making drops where it was not safe for wildland firefighters on the ground to go because of the danger of unexploded munitions. Both of you made a huge difference in helping the wildland firefighters on the ground contain that fire in less than a day.

Now you are gone, back to Downstown. And we have Alpha-3 for one more week here in Division A. Alpha 2, I will miss you. Alpha-2's pilot, I will miss you also. For you and Alpha 2 are as one, flying initial attack. One needs the other. Thank-you.

Good-bye. You will soon be off to new adventures doing agricultural operations. Stay safe.