Wyoming Army National Guard aviators held an interagency bucket drop training exercise on April 16 at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center.
According to the National Guard, the annual event was conducted in collaboration with state and local firefighting organizations to prepare for wildfire response across Wyoming.
The event involved personnel from Wyoming State Forestry, Camp Guernsey Fire Department, Cheyenne Fire Rescue’s Wildland Team, Glendo Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Albany County Volunteer Fire Department, Yoder Volunteer Fire Department, Guernsey Rural Fire District and the Platte County Fire Warden.
The National Guard reported that the exercise aimed to improve water bucket deployment, air-to-ground communication and interagency coordination in simulated wildfire scenarios.
Maj. Brian Doble, operations officer for Training Center Command, said: “This training supports both our federal and state missions.”
Maj. Brian Doble said: “At the federal level, Camp Guernsey’s mission is to facilitate realistic military training.”
Maj. Brian Doble continued: “That training comes with an inherent wildfire risk.”
Maj. Brian Doble added: “Our aviators often stand ready to respond, and this type of exercise – conducted with our interagency partners – builds confidence that we can effectively mitigate that risk.”
The organization noted that the training also helps ensure aviators meet federal and state firefighting certification requirements.
Maj. Brian Doble explained that the training also benefits local firefighters by familiarizing them with air operations in wildfire conditions.
Maj. Brian Doble said: “This isn’t just about dropping water.”
Maj. Brian Doble continued: “It’s about building relationships and practicing coordinated responses.”
Maj. Brian Doble added: “You never want to meet your firefighting partners for the first time during an actual emergency.”
Maj. Brian Doble said: “These joint exercises build trust and save time when it counts most.”
The National Guard reported that Camp Guernsey’s varied landscape and military mission make it a suitable environment for this type of exercise.
The National Guard stated that Camp Guernsey supports controlled burns to manage vegetation and protect surrounding areas, aligning with wildfire prevention and training goals.
Maj. Brian Doble said: “Conducting this kind of training at Camp Guernsey is mutually beneficial.”
Maj. Brian Doble continued: “We conduct planned burns to maintain a fire-adapted landscape that supports military training while protecting the surrounding environment.”
Maj. Brian Doble added: “Our partners get critical live-fire experience, and the community benefits from reduced wildfire risk.”
The National Guard reported that cooperative emergency planning remains essential to regional fire response.
Maj. Brian Doble said: “There isn’t a single department around here that can do it all alone.”
Maj. Brian Doble continued: “We depend on each other.”
Maj. Brian Doble added: “Whether it’s a planned burn or a real wildfire, these partnerships are what keep people safe.”
Wyoming Army National Guard aviators conducted bucket drop training on April 16.
The event took place at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center.
The training was carried out in coordination with state and local firefighting agencies.
Participants included Wyoming State Forestry and various regional fire departments.
The exercise involved aerial water bucket operations and ground-to-air coordination.
Maj. Brian Doble is operations officer for Training Center Command.
Doble said the training prepares aviators for wildfire response.
The training also helps ensure compliance with certification standards.
Local firefighters practiced working alongside military aircraft.
Camp Guernsey’s terrain allows for controlled burns during training.
These burns reduce wildfire risk in the surrounding area.
Joint exercises improve interagency communication and trust.
The National Guard emphasized the importance of regional cooperation.
Doble said no single department can manage wildfires alone.
The training supports both federal and state readiness goals.
The information in this article was reported by the National Guard.
