Doug Sexing it Up on the Astar

Doug and the Astar helicoper. Oooh you sexy thang!

Tim from Operations with wife and family

Operations Tim with wife and family, posing with the Astar before heading home for a much deserved break.

Day 11 For Me

The afternoon, pre-briefing brief. (L-R) Helicopter Manager Keven, Helicopter Crew Randy and John.


The real afternoon briefing. Adam Veal (IC), Dale (Helibase Manager) Randy (Helicrew), Sean (Replacement Ops), Doug (Helicopter Manager Trainee), Keven Johnson, (Helicopter Manager) and Operations Tim Pratt with back to camera.


Directly out of the IAP;

The fire is 90% contained at this time with numerous interior islands of unburnt fuel throughout the fire. The fire is burning in rugged coungtry in the North Umpqua Drainage with elevations ranging from 1200 ft along the North Umpqua River to 3,600 ft on Mace Mountain.

Decreased fire activity is expected.

Well it's day 11 on the fire for me. I have to take a break after 12 days so that means tomorrow is my last day. Monday my replacement takes over and I'll go home for a few days. After that it looks like I'll be off to do some work near Big Bear, California.

I'm excited about that job as I used to work in Big Bear and know many people in that area. Now if we can just get a gig in Idyllwild!

Williams Creek Fire, Crew Photos

My helicopter crew with the Helibase Manager, Dale (Left) and the Keeper of the Box, Scott (Right)




Helibase Manager Dale with his wife and daughters with the Astar.

Williams Creek Fire, Glide Oregon

Rebeca doing an outstanding job as Dipsite Manager on the Williams Creek Fire, Glide Oregon. What is she looking at?


It's Columbia Helicopters Vertol, 4 Charlie Hotel


Columbia Helicopters Vertol dipping in dipsite Bob.

My New Helicopter Crew

The fire is slowly winding down, the boys from Wyoming have been released and I have a new helicopter crew.


Left to Right; Randy, Kevin (Helicopter Manager), Ellen and Rebecca. I worked with Ellen last year on the Iron 44 fire in Weaverville California.

The Wyoming Boys

My helicopter crew. The Wyoming boys, l -r, Karsten, Sage, Dennis, Mike and Myles.

3 Squares a Day

Breakfast wildland fire style. Left to right, Dennis, Myles, Sage and Mike.



A helicopter pilot lunch. That's all I can afford.

Future Fire People and Pilots

We had a group of young kids come out and visit us on the Helibase today.

They all had lots of questions about wildland fire fighting and how the helicopter is used.



I think some of them enjoy just sitting in a helicopter as much as I do.

Helicopters and Horses

These guys stopped by to inspect the helicopters.





Talking over the finer points of the Astar helicopter.

Williams Creek Morning Briefing

With the wildfires winding down many of the fire teams have left. As of today we're down to only two helicopter crews left.


Karsten and Dennis, two of my crew. Dennis is the Helicopter Manager.


The Williams Creek Fire Air Ops Map


The rest of my helicopter crew minus Sage. Myles, Mike and Carsten again.

Burn Baby Burn

Today we used the PSD (Plastic Sphere Dispenser) to start some fires. It worked so well I think I just flew myself out of a job. Looks like the fires about burned out and we'll probably be demobbing soon.


Dennis and Myles installing the hopper on the PSD.


With the PSD installed in the Astar helicopter, Mike, Myles and Dennis admire their handiwork.


The Astar, the helicopter crew and the PSD.


Heidi, the Mad Bomber checking her equipment out.


Heidi in the bomber seat, doing final checks.


Dave Lockwood, our bomb boss. He tells me where to fly the helicopter and Heidi where to drop.


Astar helicopter, 350SB configured with the PSD

Lunch in McMinnville, Oregon

Today I flew the AS350B2 Astar helicoper to McMinnville OR. The cool thing was that while I was there I was able to have lunch with my buddy Gary.


The Astar B2 helicopter relaxing near the confluence of the North and South Umpqua Rivers west of Roseburg Oregon.


The instrument panel of the left side drive Astar B2 helicopter.

Off To Oregon to Fight Forest Fires

Current wildfire situation in Oregon. I'll be on the one shown in lower left, Southeast of Eugene.


It's 5am and the suns coming up. Time to start getting geared up.

Picking Up The Backwards B2, Astar helicopter.

This is the backwards B2. Not a great shot because the lighting was horrible. I'll get some better pictures soon.


The backwards B2 left side interior. Astar B2 helicopter

A Few Shots From Work

The staging area with the helicopter and fuel truck.


A beautiful sunset after a rainy day.


Liz Randall stopped by to check out the helicopter.


The helicopter with the long line and carousel.

Just Hangin Out Waiting for the Call...

The Astar BA helicopter in Louisiana.

Another beautiful day in Louisiana today. About 64 degrees and sunny. Flying has been slow the last couple days since it rained and we've spent quite a bit of time sitting and waiting. Sounds like we'll probably go out and pick up some bags today.

An Astar with 1 Horse Power

Wilbur and his dad come by to check out the Astar.


Wilbur in the Pilot's seat.

Windy Days

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Here's a short clip from last month.

Swamp Land

While stopping to pick up a boat and gear for the crews, the camera made some weird images when I took this picture.