Calif. officials thank firefighting supertanker

By Tatiana Prophet
Daily Press

VICTORVILLE, Calif. — Public officials gave a pat on the back Wednesday to an entrepreneurial venture that paid off in a big way this year — the DC-10 firefighting supertanker known as 910, based at Victorville's Southern California Logistics Airport.

Victorville, San Bernardino County, the area's state senator and assemblywoman, and even Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued proclamations thanking 10 Tanker partner Rick Hatton and the DC-10's crew.

"Whereas the 10 Super Tanker is an outstanding firefighting tool and will help prevent future loss of private and public property due to wildfires throughout San Bernardino County. ... therefore, that the Board of Supervisors of San Bernardino County, State of California, does hereby commend and congratulate 10 Tanker Air Carrier LLC for its outstanding contribution to firefighting," read Michael Orme, re presentative for 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt.

Officials thanked Hatton for his big gamble that paid off.

"That asset is of no value if you don't have risk-takers, people investing their own time and money, to build it and fly it," said Victorville Mayor Terry Caldwell.

The tanker sat dor mant through half of 2006, until Victorville officials asked for the help of State Sen. George Runner in cutting through the red tape and getting it hired to fight California wildfires.

Hatton, in turn, thanked Victorville.

"I can't say enough about how the can-do attitude of this place has helped put us on the map," Hatton said.