News from Coulson Aviation (January 3rd)

 Coulson Aviation is deploying to Australia and has already deployed to Chili after a busy wildfire season in the western United States. See these short posts from X, formerly Twitter for more information.

Today, Coulson Aviation marks 15 million gallons of water and retardant delivered on fire missions this year. Every drop represents our unwavering support for firefighters and the communities they protect 💪 #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/0h1NsR5RrM

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 30, 2024

 

As 2024 ends, we’re reflecting on an incredible year of aerial firefighting operations. Thanks to the Coulson Crew, partners, and local orgs for trusting us to protect communities worldwide. Here's to a safe, impactful 2025! #happynewyear #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/107L7bYiaV

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 31, 2024

 

 

Take to the skies with Tanker 138! Before deploying to Western Australia earlier this year, this Herc completed a test flight, ensuring it in tip-top shape for the upcoming fire season. Join us for a glimpse of this incredible aircraft in action 💪 #coulsonaviation #c130 pic.twitter.com/xIQrnXHqU8

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) January 2, 2025

Day 1 on contract in Chile, and Tanker 137 is already making an impact. Our Coulson Crew hit the ground running, ensuring smooth operations and keeping the mission on track. Getting it done is what we do 💪 #coulsonaviation #aerialfirefighting pic.twitter.com/WfPa4GxHxN

— Coulson Aviation (@CoulsonAviation) December 27, 2024

Coulson Aviation: 2022-23 international operations

As many of you may know, one of the aviation companies that have wildland firefighting contracts for their air tankers and helitankers in the United States and outside the U.S. is Coulson Aviation. Coulson has been on my mind of late because it is wildfire/bush fire season in the southern hemisphere and I know that Coulson has contracts in the southern hemisphere. I recently saw a December 5th article on Aerial Fire reporting that Coulson just signed a four-year contract with the Western Australian Government for one of their C-130 air tankers. Knowing that Fire Aviation would have reported about this contract, I found this December 5th article on Fire Aviation by Kelly Andersson reporting on the contract for the C-130 and another contract for a 737 air tanker. So Coulson will have two of their large air tankers on contract in Western Australia during their summer fire season. According to this December 13th Facebook post by the Dept. of Fire and Emergency Services in Western Australia, Coulson’s C-130 saw action on or about December 12th.

Among the other countries with Coulson's firefighting aircraft are according to Coulson's May 2022 news release Argentina purchased a Coulson 737, also see Bill Gabberts May 12th article on Fire Aviation. This year according to this December 20th Coulson Aviation Facebook post Coulson also has a C-130 air tanker and a CH-47 helitanker in Chile. To the best of my knowledge Coulson still has a presence in New South Wales, Australia this season, see Coulson Aviation's Australia website for more information. I know that in prior years, Coulson have had a presence in on or two other countries that I have not listed here. 

Direct link to video by Coulson Aviation on YouTube

2022 wildfire season: Coulson Aviation in Chile with Dawn Blumberg

Coulson Aviation works in Chile over their summer, our winter in the United States. At this time of year, I am always interested in fire season in the southern hemisphere. I also try to keep a look out for female pilots in fire aviation. Coulson has video that addresses both points, a C-130 tanker working in Chile and one of her pilots, Dawn Blumberg. It is a very short video, just under a minute. I post it here to support Dawn Blumberg and all women in fire aviation. I wish Coulson's C-130, 132CG, and her crew and support staff a safe fire season in Chile. Dawn has been flying C-130's since 2007 with over 3,500 hours and has been fighting fires in the C-130 for four years.

Direct link to video by Coulson Aviation on YouTube