To “Extinguish Fire”
Operation Hoʻopauahi brings faster response time and extra assistance to the wildfires that hit the islands during wildfire season.
Gov. Josh Green, Commander in Chief of the Hawai‘i National Guard, signed an emergency proclamation, authorizing the Hawai‘i National Guard, to keep aircrews ready to provide aerial firefighting capabilities to augment county and state level first responder elements.
The operation takes place from June 1st through November 30th.
2026
2025
Guardsmen that are aircrew, maintainers and operations came from the following units to participate as in the All Hazard Response Force:
- Company B, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment;
- Company C, 1st Battalion, 183rd Aviation Regiment;
- Detachment 1, Company G, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment;
- Detachment 1, Company G, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment
- Company B, 777th Aviation Support Company
The All Hazard Response Force utilized their assets including the CH-47F, UH-60M and HH-60M helicopters which are based out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Kalaeloa Airport (both located on Oahu) and Hilo Airport (located on the Big Island) to conduct water drops. Over the course of the operation aircraft, personnel and equipment maintained a posture allowing for immediate response time of one hour from any of the three Army Aviation Support Facilities throughout the state.
During the 2025 Operation Hoʻopauahi four requests for assistance were executed in response to vegetation/brush fires with the potential of causing significant damage to local infrastructure and displacement of people.
- August 12-13 – Mana Rd. Brushfire, Big Island (CH-47F, UH-60M)
- August 19-20 – Kunia Rd. Fire, Oahu (CH-47F, HH-60M, UH-60M)
- September 7-10 – Kaala Brushfire, Big Island (CH-47F, UH-60M)
- November 7-14 – Mana Rd. Wildfire, Big Island (CH-47F, HH-60M, UH-60M)
A total of 105.4 hours were flown and 283,908 gallons of water were dropped between all four fires.
Past Content of Wildfire Support
DVIDS Video: Hawaii Army National Guard provides aerial fire suppression for wild fire in Mililani
DVIDS Video: Hawaii Army National Guard Provides Aerial Fire Suppression for Mililani Wildfire
DVIDS Video: Hawaii Army National Guard – supports Maui brush fire
DVIDS Video: Hawaii Army National Guard provides water bucket support for wildfires on Maui
DVIDS Video: Hawaii Army National Guard provides water bucket support for wildfires on Maui – Part 2
DVIDS Photos: Hawaii Army National Guard Provides Aerial Fire Suppression for Mililani Wildfire
DVIDS Photo: Hawaii Army National Guard provides aerial fire suppression for wild fire in Mililani
DVIDS Photos: Hawaii Army National Guard provides water bucket support for wildfires on Maui