McCain, others ask for unneeded planes to fight forest fires
May 2, 2013, 3:19 PM
In preparation for wildfire season, Sen. John McCain and over a dozen other lawmakers requested that some unneeded U.S. planes be used to help fight fires.
According to a press release, the Forest Service has the ability to obtain up to seven planes that are excess to the Department of Defense to help control wildfires.
In a letter to Sec. of Defense Chuck Hagel, McCain and the other lawmakers said the current Forest Service fleet is made up by a majority of Korean War-era planes and the additional Air Force planes would be helpful.