WASHINGTON, D.C. - A provision has been passed in the U.S. Senate which nearly doubles the forest service air tanker fleet to fight wildfires.

Under the Defense bill passed last night(12/19/13), seven surplus HC-130H Hercules aircraft will be sent to the Forest Service as large airtankers and fifteen C-23B Sherpa aircraft will serve as smokejumper and cargo transports.

The transfer of the HC-130H aircraft nearly doubles the number of large airtankers operated by the Forest Service today.