A contingent of Iowa National Guardsmen crossed the state’s western border in mid-March to assist their Nebraska counterparts with intense wildfires raging across the western and central portions of the Cornhusker State.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen activated at least 47 Nebraska Army and Air National Guard members on March 13 to assist with local fire crews, while eight Iowa National Guard flight crew members are helping from the air as of March 23. One Iowa flight crew has already rotated back home.
“These fires present a significant and active danger, given current weather conditions,” Pillen stated in a release. “Anyone living within proximity to current wildfires are urged to heed communications issued by local authorities, including their respective county emergency management agencies.”
“We received the request for assistance from Nebraska last Saturday and, within a very short time, had a full roster of volunteers,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Randy Grayson, an Iowa National Guard instructor pilot. “Soldiers from across central Iowa immediately reported to Boone, with some traveling over an hour to answer the call. The speed and efficiency of our deployment are a testament to the readiness and dedication of our Guard members.”
At press time, the Cottonwood Fire was 96% contained, an encouraging number owed at least in part to Blackhawk helicopter crews from both Nebraska and Iowa. The aircraft drop water over the fires using a lightweight, collapsible water-carrying device called the Bambi Bucket — an invention that Iowa Guardsmen regularly train with, but this time in what Grayson dubbed “a unique and challenging operational environment.”
“Our aircrews had to coordinate their water drops with ground-based firefighters while also communicating with an overhead aircraft that was directing all air assets,” he said. “This was a new and demanding experience for our crews, but they were enthusiastic about the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world scenario and contribute to the firefighting efforts.”
More than 800,000 acres have burned so far via the Cottonwood and Morrill Fires, with the latter being 98% contained. At least one person has died from the inferno, which is being fueled across Nebraska’s grasslands and farmlands by rapid winds, dry conditions and warmer-than-average temperatures. Pillen called the blazes “the largest wildfires in our history” in an X post. In another, he wrote, “Our firefighters, military members, and volunteers are doing heroic work.”
Grayson has seen that work firsthand, saying the flames have been “brought under greater control with each passing day.”
“We take great pride in our ability to provide assistance during times of crisis, regardless of location. Working alongside our counterparts from the Nebraska National Guard has been an invaluable opportunity to build interstate partnerships and enhance our operational capabilities,” he said. “This collaboration has allowed us to learn from their extensive experience in firefighting, which will improve our readiness for future missions.”
Ultimately, the Nebraska mission has reminded Grayson and his crew why they chose to join the Guard.
“The morale and enthusiasm among our soldiers have been incredibly high,” he said. “The opportunity to help a community in need is one of our highest callings, and it has been a deeply rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
