C-130H TY has returned to Western Australia after Coulson Aviation was awarded a four-year firefighting contract for the State’s Large Air Tanker service.
“Coulson is proud to continue to support Western Australia with our C-130, which will be one of the key assets supporting the rapidly approaching and potentially devastating bushfire season,” said Coulson Aviation Australia CEO Britt Coulson. “Western Australia is like a second home for this aircraft. It was the first place the airplane fought fire after we converted it and we’re pleased to see it return to its proving grounds.” said Britt.
TY, otherwise known as Bomber 132, is a former Norwegian military aircraft. Western Australia was the first to benefit from TY in fire operations after it underwent thousands of hours of work to become an aerial firebomber in 2020. The C-130 Hercules has a capacity of 15,000 litres (4,000 gallons) and is one of the world’s most powerful aerial firefighting aircraft due to its range and versatility.
Western Australia Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson warned of an unpredictable and potentially devastating bushfire season with bushland primed with undergrowth as a result of heavy rains and climate change. Coulson’s C-130H will be based in Busselton, Western Australia, to support fire suppression efforts throughout the season.
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