Thank-you tanker and helicopter pilots for flying wildfires

Rarely a day goes by when I do not think about pilots flying tankers, helicopters, lead planes, bird dog aircraft, and observation aircraft over wildfires in support of the wildland firefighters on the ground. 

• You do what you do because you love flying and care about doing all that you can to help those on the ground. 
• You go through pre-season recurrency training as required by contract. 
• You get weather briefings before you go, if it is too windy, foggy, or there are thunderstorms in the area you won't fly.
• There are restrictions in your on-call hours, and mandated daily off-duty time and days off.
• You want to be safe when you fly and you want those on the ground to be safe. 
• You communicate with other aircraft and those on the ground to coordinate where to drop your water or retardant.
• You fly low when you make your drops.
• What you do is dangerous.
• Depending on where you are based and where your family is, you may be away from home for weeks during wildfire season. 
• If activity is slow, and you are on contract, then there may be hours when you are hanging around your base passing time, doing whatever you do to relax and pass time.

Know that you are appreciated. Words are wholly inadequate to express my gratitude for what you do and the sacrifices you make. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart.