Rutledge Airborne

06/15/2026

The Wells, NV detachment went on their first road trip yesterday. Flight Lead Cade in T-825 and Annie in T-815 hit the Spring Cave Fire near Caliente, NV. Annie was all smiles after her first tactical dispatch and successful drop. Upon the teams return to Wells the whole base was waiting for her. If you’ve been to Wells you’ll know that a repurposed birthday card is about as good as any trophy! She also got the obligatory first drop steak dinner.

05/14/2026

Brainerd, MN detachment hard at work. Flight Lead Clif in T-821 accurately throwing some BLAZETAMER380 on a fire recently. Good camera work from the yellow shirts to catch the burning tree. Photo credit: Sandie Youngblom

04/23/2026

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources team at Brainerd tanker base is proving to be the most aggressive in wildland fire. They threw everything at the Bartlett and Eagle fires today. On the way to a dispatch, Flight Lead Clif and James caught the team effort of the Coastal Air Strike scoopers doing their thing in the lake below.

04/17/2026

If there’s a more efficient method to fight fire and provide what the ground firefighters need, we will find it. Wasabi Air Racing is a skilled firefighter, but when he dons his flight test persona problems get solved and technology advances. We’re fortunate to have him pushing the boundaries of what our team, and the industry can accomplish.

04/17/2026

Big day in Minnesota today. Our Brainerd crew dispatched twice, finishing the sunset up with the Jackson Road Fire. Oddly, the fire was near the town of “Rutledge”.😂

A significant event unfolded as James in T-881, one of our crewchiefs turned pilot got his first drops. Absolutely rewarding to see the culmination of all his years of training working toward his goal.

04/15/2026

The Leadership Team is in Reno tonight as a proud sponsor of the Will Hawkins Rookie Boots Fund. dinner. Wildland firefighting is a calling few will answer and purchasing the required boots shouldn’t be a barrier to the profession. The silent auction tonight features a Yeti rolling cooler full of our team only issued gear. Join the cause and help an aspiring yellow shirt get on the fire line! Www.rookieboots.org

04/07/2026

Simple firefighting aircraft doesn’t mean basic technology and one dimensional capabilities. Clear, real time communication between the yellow shirts on the ground and air assets is the greatest factor in placing drops where they have the most impact. We’re proud to pioneer FireVision in the US and to ensure our pilots have unprecedented situational awareness in the fight. Our customers deserve nothing less than the most aggressive techniques and accurate systems we can field. Those who dare, win.

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03/29/2026

The Brainerd, MN tanker base staff has set the standard for kicking off a fire season!

03/27/2026

And the the 2026 fire season begins! Flight Lead Clif and James head out for Minnesota in T-821 “Lola” and T-881 “Pedro”. After only a month break and 2 weeks of the best recurrent training in the nation, the team is ready to get back at it. Our Minnesota Department of Natural Resources partners are also the first agency in the nation to field our new distinct, fleet paint scheme.