A New York Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk based in Latham hovers while conducting water bucket training at the Round Lake municipal airport, June 4.
<p>The New York Army National Guard and New York State Police both trained their helicopter crews to prepare to fight wild fires at the same time and place.
Additionally, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers were on site to observe and help crews maneuver to drop points as they would do during a forest fire.
Both aircraft use a delivery system know as the Bambi Bucket. The State Police used a 750 pound bucket and the National Guard used a 560 gallon bucket that weighs almost two tons when full.
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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  weight under the aircraft in order to fly safely in an actual emergency.
Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone
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