In this episode, we visit CAL FIRE's Ramona Air Attack base for the first time to figure out who we’re going to follow for our docuseries. Situated in San Diego County, this base is home to two CAL FIRE S2 air tankers, one CAL FIRE OV-10 Air Attack plane, and their support crews. There’s also a USFS helitack crew based here during the summer… but we don’t have permission to film them just yet :)
We sat down for a chat with Battalion Chief Brown, the mastermind behind the scenes as the Aviation Battalion Chief and Air Tactical Group Supervisor (ATGS), along with a rising star in training for the ATGS role. This was our first opportunity to interview folks in this very unique role. For those unfamiliar, an ATGS flies in the OV-10 Air Attack, circling a wildfire above the other firefighting aircraft. From this vantage point, they oversee the fire and coordinate aerial assets, all while communicating with the incident commander on the ground. This role demands immense responsibility and unique skills, making it clear that only a truly exceptional individual can fill these shoes. Looking forward to following these two over the fire season!