SACRAMENTO – Marking a significant advancement in California’s wildfire preparedness, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the state’s fourth C-130 Hercules (C-130H) airtanker has entered active service. Alongside this deployment, the Governor celebrated the launch of California’s 11th Helitack base, which hosts the Sikorsky S70i Fire Hawk helicopter. Both resources will be stationed at the Ramona Airport in San Diego County, strategically integrating them into California’s world-leading aerial fleet. “The addition of this fourth C-130 Hercules airtanker to our world-class fleet, combined with the historic establishment of our 11th Helitack base, significantly enhances the rapid, aggressive response needed to save lives and protect our natural resources. California is making the investment into the key resources that help protect our communities from catastrophic wildfire.” In 2024, under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California made history as the first state in the nation to own, operate, and deploy its own fleet of C-130H Airtankers.