When smoke begins to rise across the Rocky Mountains, a unique firefighting force lifts off—fast. Operation Sky Hammer was designed to improve success during initial attack on wildfires. The effort combines two helitankers, a helicopter coordinator, and a mobile retardant base. Together, they form a highly mobile and high‑powered response team that can be staged in areas with high fire danger.

Based out of the Jeffco Air Base in Broomfield, Colorado, Sky Hammer can be positioned across the region’s five states. The two Skycrane helitankers—heavy-lift helicopters known for their skeleton-like design—respond as a dedicated pair and can travel with a mobile retardant base that becomes operational within 24 to 48 hours. The U.S. Forest Service handles contracting for aircraft and flight crews, in addition to providing staff and support for the program.

“This innovative program is adding capacity to our wildland firefighting response in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain Region,” said Troy Heithecker, regional forester. “Coupled with the modernized airtanker base in Colorado Springs and our other airtanker bases across our region, we will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently when wildfires start.”

Working Together

Local, state and federal agencies can order Sky Hammer to respond to wildfires in any jurisdiction. Its mobile retardant base allows the team to operate from locations that otherwise could not support this specialized equipment.

When a wildfire starts and support is requested, Sky Hammer’s flexible design enables a rapid response. On average, each helitanker carries 2,400 gallons of water or fire retardant while fighting wildfires, roughly the weight of an African elephant. The crew can fill the tank in 45 seconds.

Together, these two helitankers can almost match the output of two fixed-wing large airtankers. Sky Hammer’s design reduces turnaround times, extends operational reach, and gives firefighters an immediate, on‑scene resource during the critical early stages of a wildfire.

The system also allows the crew to rapidly alternate between water and retardant for initial attack response. Retardant can be loaded on the ground using a separate tank system. Once the retardant is dropped, the helicopter can use a hose to draft water from natural sources near the fire without any risk of retardant entering sensitive waterways. This means the aircraft doesn’t need to fly far distances to reload retardant and mountain streams and lakes are protected.

During the 2025 fire year, Operation Sky Hammer was active for 60 days and responded to 37 initial attack fires and nine large fires. It delivered over 46,000 gallons of retardant and nearly 1.3 million gallons of water. That rapid response resulted in cost savings for taxpayers, less damage to natural resources, and improved overall safety for communities and firefighters.

Looking into the future

Operation Sky Hammer is expected to return to the Jeffco Air Base for the 2026 fire year. It will be ready and available to support new fires, strengthening the initial attack mission and giving local, state and federal partners a formidable tool when needed to reduce harm to people, homes, infrastructure and natural and cultural resources.

For more information on Forest Service wildfire readiness visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/priorities/wildfire-readiness-response.