A New York Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk based in Latham and a New York State Police Bell Heuy II helicopter (in air) prepare to conduct  water bucket training at the Round Lake municipal airport, June 4.
<p>Both agencies trained their helicopter crews to prepare to fight wild fires at the same time and place.
Addtionally, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers were on site to observe and help crews move to water drop locations as they would do during a fire.
Both aircraft use a delivery system know as the Bambi Bucket. The State Police used a 750 gallon bucket and the National Guard used a 560 gallon bucket.
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Both agencies need to conduct this training annually because each bucket weighs more than two tons when loaded with water and it is necessary to practice flying with that much extra l weight under the aircraft in order to fly safely in an actual emergency.
Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone
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