Runners, Other Elected Leaders Honor Fire Fighting Aircraft Tanker 910

Contacts:

Jana Saastad (Senator Runner), Office: 916.651.4676, Cell: 916.337.7098

Kayla Garcia (Assemblywoman Runner), Office: 916.319.2036, Cell: 661.993.7070

VICTORVILLE, Calif. – Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) were joined today by other High Desert leaders and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) to honor the brave work and dedication of "Tanker 910," a privately owned DC-10 jet under contract with the state that has made more than 100 missions in the past 18 months in fighting California wildfires.

"With its speed, agility and ability to carry heavy payload, the Tanker 910 is a smart tool that gives fire fighters a greater chance to save lives and property in California," said Senator Runner who, along with Assemblywoman Runner, presented Rick Hatton, one of the aircraft's owners, with a Legislative Members' Resolution.

McDonnell-Douglas originally designed the DC-10 for passenger travel with a capacity for 300 passengers. The three-member crew plane was later modified by 10 Tanker Air Carrier, LLC, of Victorville, into a tanker jet capable of hauling 12,000 gallons of fire retardant or water. When released, the drop forms a fire line that is 100-feet wide and three-fourths of a mile long.

"This amazing feat can be accomplished in as little as eight seconds," Assemblywoman Runner said. "Tanker 910 greatly aids firefighters on the ground."

Tanker 910 is under contract for exclusive use to Cal Fire through 2009. Each year it will be available for 122 days – June 15 to Oct. 15 – with the ability to be available for additional days, which was the case during the southern California fires in late October and into November.

"Thanks to the Tanker 910, California lives and homes have been saved," said Cal Fire Director Ruben Grijalva. "We look forward to a long relationship with continued success."

Tom O’Keefe, unit chief for Cal Fire's San Bernardino district, presented a governor's proclamation to Hatton.

At the height of the recent fires, the DC-10 plane flew 9 missions a day. The 12,000-gallon behemoth took a mere eight minutes to load. This enables the plane and crew to land, reload, and take-off for a new mission in less than an hour.

Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt also presented Hatton with a San Bernardino County Supervisor's Resolution; and Victorville Mayor Terry Caldwell honored the aircraft with a city resolution.

For more information about Tanker 910, please visit http://10tanker.com/index.htm.