State of South Dakota  
EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 2013  

960U0741   SENATE COMMEMORATION   NO.  13  

Introduced by:    Senators Rave, Adelstein, Begalka, Bradford, Brown, Buhl, Ewing, Frerichs, Holien, Hunhoff (Jean), Johnston, Jones, Kirkeby, Krebs, Lederman, Lucas, Maher, Monroe, Novstrup (Al), Olson (Russell), Omdahl, Otten (Ernie), Peters, Rampelberg, Rhoden, Soholt, Sutton, Tidemann, Tieszen, Vehle, Welke, and White and Representatives Lust, Bartling, Bolin, Cammack, Campbell, Carson, Conzet, Craig, Cronin, Dryden, Duvall, Ecklund, Erickson, Feickert, Feinstein, Gibson, Gosch, Greenfield, Haggar (Don), Haggar (Jenna), Hajek, Hansen, Hawks, Hawley, Heinemann (Leslie), Heinert, Hickey, Hoffman, Hunhoff (Bernie), Johns, Kaiser, Killer, Kirschman, Kopp, Latterell, Magstadt, May, Mickelson, Miller, Munsterman, Nelson, Novstrup (David), Olson (Betty), Otten (Herman), Parsley, Peterson, Qualm, Rasmussen, Ring, Romkema, Rounds, Rozum, Russell, Schaefer, Schoenfish, Schrempp, Sly, Soli, Solum, Stalzer, Steele, Stevens, Tulson, Tyler, Verchio, Werner, Westra, Wick, Wink, and Wismer
 

        A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring the crew of North Carolina Air National Guard, MAFFS (Modular Airborne FireFighting System) 7, 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte, North Carolina.

    WHEREAS, a wildland fire ignited around 4:00 p.m. on June 29, 2012, in the Black Hills near Edgemont, South Dakota. The wildland fire was later designated as the White Draw Fire; and

    WHEREAS, the White Draw Fire had grown to over 2,000 acres by June 30, 2012, requiring the assignment of two military C-130 MAFFS air tankers to assist in suppressing the fire; and

    WHEREAS, the North Carolina National Guard C-130 known as MAFFS 7 crashed in the Black Hills of South Dakota while fighting the White Draw Fire on July 1, 2012, at approximately 6:30 p.m.; and

    WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Paul K. Mikeal, Major Joseph "Joe" M. McCormick, Major Ryan S. David, and Senior Master Sergeant Robert "Robbie" S. Cannon perished in the accident and two other crew members were seriously injured; and

    WHEREAS, the White Draw Fire ultimately consumed approximately 9,000 acres of the Black Hills by the time it was contained on or about July 13, 2012. The efforts of the crew of MAFFS 7 to suppress the White Draw Fire contributed to the eventual containment of the fire:
    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Eighty-Eighth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the MAFFS 7 crew be honored for their service to the citizens of South Dakota.