The U.S. Forest Service has funded firefighting team based out of the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, operating two Type 1 helitanker S-64 Skycranes and a mobile retardant base.

The program, “Operation Sky Hammer”, is a trial initiative for the 2025 fire season which has placed the Skycranes to be close to where the fire danger is considered to be at the highest threat, to increase initial attack effectiveness across the Rocky Mountain Region. The USFS said the aircraft can be requested by local, state or federal agencies to respond to wildfires.

“This innovative program is adding capacity to our wildland firefighting response in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain Region,” said Troy Heithecker, Regional Forester for the Rocky Mountain Region. “Coupled with the modernized airtanker base in Colorado Springs and our other airtanker bases across our region, we will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently when wildfires start.”