This week the U.S. Senate passed its version of the FY 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. Among its many amendments was the reauthorization of the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act. The amendment was sponsored by Senator McCain (R-AZ).
In August, NASF sent a letter in to Senators McCain, Feinstein and Nelson, sponsors of the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 2012. The act will would provide the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) with near-term access to airtankers, while the USDA Large Airtanker Modernization Strategy takes full effect.