Airtanker History: Tribute to P-3 Orion

Direct link to post by Scorched Sky Productions on YouTube

A tribute to Aero Union's P-3 Orion. In late July of 2011, the US Forest Service cancelled their contract for Aeo Union's  P-3 Orions. See my July 30, 2011 and August 17, 2011 posts. Gone but not forgotten

Memories of air tankers in 2009 (part 1 of 2)

 It was approximately 14 years ago, August of 2008, when I first became interested in learning more about wildland firefighting. The focus of those early entries were on what I was learning. In early 2009 I began to learn about airtanker operations thanks to the help of a few friends, current and former airtanker pilots. I took you along as I learned about the airtanker business and learned about the contractors that then had contracts with the U.S. Forest Service. I cut my teeth in 2009 into 2010 by watching live stream and other videos of Aero Union's P-3's, 10 Tanker Corp's DC-10, and Evergreen's 747 tanker flying fires. most of the videos that I am embedding below were previously shared on my blog.

In 2009, Tanker 910, operated by 10 Tanker Corp was under contract with CAL Fire, see my May 16, 2009 article for more information. Tanker 910 was capable of carrying up to 12,000 gallons of retardant though I suspect that most of the time she carried less retardant. I enjoyed watching her lay down a line of retardant. 

Direct link to 2008 video uploaded by palealien on YouTube

10 Tanker Corp is still around in 2022 and continues to fly DC 10 air tankers, download their fact sheet for more information. 10 Tanker has four DC 10 tankers -- T 910, 911, 912, and 914 -- in their fleet. Her current retardant capacity is 9,400 gallons. I believe that 10 tanker corp has contracts with the US Forest Service as well as State agencies.

I will never forget watching Evergreen's 747 tanker link up and drop a long line of retardant on the 2009 Station Fire in southern California. You will have to take my word for this as the video is no longer available. I recall watching a live stream of this drop on one of the Southern California TV News outlets, awesome. While that video that so impressed me is no longer available, check out this 2009 video 

Direct link to video from elvladyman on YouTube

According Bill Gabbert's May 2, 2014 Fire Aviation post Evergreen's 747 was not under contract in 2014. Sometime later, I don't recall exactly when and I have no link at the moment, I believe that this 747 was no longer operated by Evergreen.  A newer 747 tanker, T-944,  operated by 747 supertanker  began operations sometime in 2017 and had some contracts but ceased operations in April 2021, see Bill Gabbert's April 23, 2021 article. On September 3, 2021 Bill Gabbert reported that a 747 tanker, owned by Logistic Air, is expected to return to service for wildland firefighting by late 2022, see Bill's May 4, 2022 for updated information.

Finally, I enjoyed watching AeroUnion's P-3 tanker (3,000 gallon retardant capacity) fly fires. Sadly, the U.S. Forest Service terminated its contract with Aero Union for their P-3's in August 2011 and shut down operations a few months later after selling off their assets including some of their P-3s (see my January 18, 2012 article)

Enjoy this tribute to the P-3 tanker from Scorched Sky Productions.

Direct link to video on YouTube from Scorched Sky Productions

Another air tanker company, Neptune Aviation had contracts with the US Forest Service in 2009 and is still in business  flying airtankers. I will write about Neptune Aviation on August 22. Stay Tuned

More on Aero Union

I made a very short post here saying that Aero Union is having an auction on Feb, 28. There inventory of P-3 Orions, parts, various intellectual property and other assets. Specifically, sealed bids will be opened on Feb. 28.

I'd like to thank a good friend who told me that Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today wrote an article yesterday reporting on some recent correspondance he had with Mr. Gourley, CEO of Aero Union Corp. According to Gabbert, Mr. Gourley said that Aero Union is going to appeal the US Forest Service's decision of July 29, 2011 to terminate Aero Union's contract.

I don't know if I can add anything to what Bill Gabbert has already said, so I'll leave you to your own devices to go and read Bill's article. He includes a copy of Mr. Gourley's letter at the end of his article.

Aero Union Auction

I am very saddened to report that an auction is being held on Feb, 28 in Houston TX Sacremento CA to auction off Aero Union's property including all of their P-3 Orions, parts, and intellectual property. Specifically sealed bids will be open on that date. Recall that the USFS terminated its contract with Aero Union in late July.

For information on this auction go here.

Tribute to Aero Union

An awesome tribute to Aero Union by the Envenomator1. Please go here and click on more to read what he has to say.

To all my friends at Aero Union, you are not forgotten.

Aero Union P-3's - I miss you

Four days ago (see this article from chicoer.com), I heard that Aero Union laid off their employees. When I first heard that the US Forest Service terminated its contract with Aero Union on July 29th, I was hoping for another outcome, that something could be worked out to get Aero Union's P-3 tankers back in the air. But it seems my hopes, our hopes did not come to pass. Pilots, crew and others at Aero Union have been laid off.

I know enough about the business of aerial wildland firefighting to know that for many of you, who you are is about flying tankers or fixing tankers or performing other ground support operations. And of course, you are now without a job in an already tough economic climate.

You did great work flying fires. While I have never seen you in person, so to speak, I have watched you fly fires on live stream at fires such as the Station Fire in 2009. It was awesome to watch you lay down a line of retardant on a fire, knowing that you might be able to come around again and drop the rest of your retardant before going back to base to reload. Knowing how much you were helping the crews on the ground fight the fire.

You will be missed.

In my own way, I am writing this for all affected by the lay offs at Aero Union, to let you know that I care. And it stinks.

I am not embarrassed to say that I have shed a few tears for you.

USFS cancels Aero Union contract

I just got back in town after being away for a couple of weeks in northern New England with limited internet access through wireless hotspots. So, while I was able to access my e-mail and do some blog posting, I was unable to keep up with most current events affecting the tanker and helo biz. While I was checking my e-mail a couple of hours ago, I saw a note from a friend telling me that the USFS had canceled its contract with Aero Union. He referred me to this press release from the US Forest Service, saying in part

The U.S. Forest Service announced today that it has terminated its contract with Aero Union of Sacramento, Calif., because the company failed to meet its contractual obligations. The company was providing six airtankers under exclusive-use contracts to the Forest Service.

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Aero Union had six P-3 Orion's under contract which are now grounded, leaving 11 P-2's under exclusive use contract and two very large airtankers under a call when needed contract.

You might also want to read the article that Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today reported on the cancellation of the Aero Union contract in an article he wrote yesterday. Some of you may have already read Bill's article or heard the news elsewhere.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm still absorbing the news. I'm in shock. And hot and dirty from a 450 mile drive.

I will continue with my series on the B-17's service as an airtanker on Monday. And, of course, I will report back if there is further news on the termination of the Aero Union contract.