Operating aircraft for fire suppression is a dangerous business and Ryan Air Attack Base has not been immune to the tragic loss of life.  Two airtankers stationed at Ryan Air Attack Base have been lost in the line of duty.  The first was Tanker 82, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, which went down on August 13, 1994, while enroute to a fire in Kern County.  Killed in the tragic accident were Pilot Bob Buc, Co-Pilot Joe Johnson and Flight Engineer Shawn Zaremba.  On June 17, 1995 an airtanker memorial was dedicated at Ryan Air Attack Base, in the public viewing area, to the loss of Tanker 82 and all tanker pilots lost in the line of duty.  The poem on the granite memorial reads:

 

On any given day they take to the sky.

Their destiny in question, yet they never ask why.

As they race to the fire on strong metal wings,

This day in the air they are truly the kings.

So fly on, gallant heroes , and give it your best,

Let it be known, you flew over the rest!

When your last flight finally comes to an end,

You soared with the eagles, you rode on the wind.

-P. Neal 1995

 

Four days later on June 21, 1995 Tanker 19, a McDonald Douglas DC-4, based out of Ryan Air Attack Base, collided with Lead 56, a Beechcraft Barron while on final approach to Ramona Air Tanker Base.   Killed in the accident were Tanker 15 Pilot Gary Cockrell, Co-Pilot Lisa Netsch and Lead 56 Pilot Mike Smith.

 

On October 5 ^th, 1998, Pilot Gary Nagel was dispatched from the Fresno Air Attack Base in CAL FIRE Tanker 96 to assist Firefighters in Riverside County.  Later that day, Gary gave his live bravely while fighting the Mount Edna Fire on the San Jacinto Mountains.

 

Thank you for your service good friends…