Document
OAS-28A (5/15)
Interagency Aviation
Information Bulletin
No. IA IB 23-01 Date: May 23, 2023 Page 1 of 1 Subject: New Nationwide Airtanker Base Frequency – Revision May 23, 2023 Area of Concern: Aviation Operations.
Distribution: All Fire and Fire Aviation Operations Discussion: The FAA Spectrum Engineering Office has reassigned many radio frequencies including those used to support some wildland fire operations.
As a result, all Airtanker Base (ATB) frequencies will be reassigned.
In January, the FAA assigned one frequency for st every airtanker base to begin using on February 1 .
Since then, several SAFECOMs were submitted identifying issues with bleedover from airport Unicom traffic.
On May 15, 2023, new frequencies were issuesd to most airtanker bases with instructions to begin utilizing them as soon as practicable.
The new frequencies are published in the NWCG Airtanker Base Directory, PMS 507 which is available by logging in at https://egp.nwcg.gov/egp/ . An account is required.
Frequencies for aviation facilites are considered sensitive as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and are not to be disseminated without a Lawful Government Purpose.
Frequency management has become increasingly challenging due to the number of frequency assignments within the aviation bands. Currently, there are approximately 12,500 current assignments. Continental U.S. frequencies are the most challenging to obtain frequencies for new facilities.
Not all airtanker bases were assigned a new frequency, so some instances of bleedover may remain. This should be reported to your Geographic Area Coordinating Group (GACC) and a SAFECOM filed as soon as possible.
For additional questions regarding frequency issues, contact Kim Albracht at 208-830-2333 or kimberly.albracht@usda.gov .
/s/ / Keith Raley /s/ Lori Clark Keith Raley Lori Clark Chief, Aviation Safety, Program Evaluation, Branch Chief - Aviation Safety Management and Quality Management Systems DOI, Office of Aviation Services USDA, Forest Service