RAPPEL ACADEMIES COMING TO SALMON IN MAY AND JUNE
Rappellers are wildland firefighters trained and prepared to operate in all the roles of helibase operations and as aerially delivered firefighters. There will be multiple training sessions occurring in the Salmon area this spring.
The Salmon Airbase holds these trainings each spring because the facility is the largest in the nation with two training towers. The facility provides capacity to run large numbers of personnel through training in an efficient manner.
Salmon Air Base will be hosting Spotter Emersion training starting May 20 through May 25. Nine (9) students will be participating in this training which will better prepare the students for becoming a qualified rappel spotter to deploy rappellers and cargo safely. 13 training staff, 32 rappellers, and three helicopters and flight crews will be supporting this training course.
Starting May 20 through May 21 there will be 22 veteran rappellers, from all over the nation, recertifying along with seven (7) training staff.
Starting May 26 through June 4 or until complete, there will be 69 rookie rappellers, along with 56 training staff, 20+ support staff, and eight (8) helicopters and flight crews. The training will take place at the Salmon Air Base, Haynes Creek, and Sal Mountain. This year, trainees will be training to rappel out of a Super Puma aircraft. The Super Puma is part of the aircraft fleet modernization effort in the Forest Service. For the 2025 Fire Year, there are three (3) Super Pumas in the Forest Service fleet, up to eight (8) rappellers can be deployed in one flight, they have expanded flight range due to larger fuel capacity, all with enhanced safety. All rookie rappellers from around the country come to Salmon, as the Salmon-Challis National Forest hosts this intensive, performance based training each year.
The purpose of the training is to provide annual quality training for rappellers and spotters in accordance with the National Rappel Operations Guide; to strengthen leadership, teamwork, and communications within the rappel community, and to produce quality aerial delivered firefighters for use in fire and aviation operations. The U.S. Forest Service National Helicopter Rappel Program’s primary mission is initial attack. Rappel crews may be utilized for large fire support, all hazard incident operations, and resource management objectives.