A Sign of Wildfire Season1 min read

By
David Jolkovski
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The Sikorsky Skycrane was converted from military use in the Vietnam War into a firefighter aircraft with the addition of a water tank that normally holds about 2,000 gallons. Helicopter Transport Services is contracted by the U.S. Forest Service during wildfire season. “We go where they tell us to go,” Helicopter Transport Services captain Eric Rairdon said. “We were down at Falcon Field [in Mesa] until [Monday] and we received orders to move up here and just pre-position to stand by for anything that might occur.”
The Sikorsky Skycrane was converted from military use in the Vietnam War into a firefighter aircraft with the addition of a water tank that normally holds about 2,000 gallons. Helicopter Transport Services is contracted by the U.S. Forest Service during wildfire season. “We go where they tell us to go,” Helicopter Transport Services captain Eric Rairdon said. “We were down at Falcon Field [in Mesa] until [Monday] and we received orders to move up here and just pre-position to stand by for anything that might occur.


Helicopter Transport Services mechanic Kevin Schmidt, from left, crew chief Will Logan, co-captain Brian Williams, fuel truck driver Jeff Holmes and captain Eric Rairdon stand in front of their Sikorsky Skycrane positioned at the Sedona Airport on Tuesday, May 11. The Sikorsky Skycrane was converted from military use in the Vietnam War into a firefighter aircraft with the addition of a water tank that normally holds about 2,000 gallons. Helicopter Transport Services is contracted by the U.S. Forest Service during wildfire season. “We go where they tell us to go,” Rairdon said. “We were down at Falcon Field [ in Mesa, AZ] until [Monday] and we received orders to move up here and just pre-position to stand by for anything that might occur.”
David Jolkovski

After graduating with a BFA in photojournalism from the Corcoran College of Art + Design, David worked as a photographer for community newspapers in New Jersey and Phoenix and freelanced for the New York Times and The Washington Post. Prior to joining the Sedona Red Rock News, he worked as staff photographer for a nongovernmental organization working in the Caribbean and Central America.

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David Jolkovski
After graduating with a BFA in photojournalism from the Corcoran College of Art + Design, David worked as a photographer for community newspapers in New Jersey and Phoenix and freelanced for the New York Times and The Washington Post. Prior to joining the Sedona Red Rock News, he worked as staff photographer for a nongovernmental organization working in the Caribbean and Central America.