It’s been ten years since the regional airtanker base moved from Pangborn Airport in East Wenatchee, to Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake.

The Moses Lake Airtanker Base will be hosting its tenth anniversary celebration next Wednesday, June 22nd at 1:30 pm. The event will be open to the public, with a tour and cake provided free-of-charge.

While no aircraft are stationed at the base permanently, the base is kept plenty busy. According to Base Manager Robert Mead, over 4.5 million gallons of ammonium phosphate fire retardant have been loaded at the base over its 10-year life, which can service anywhere from one to eight airtankers at a time.

The retardant is very important in combating wildfires in the Okanogan –Wenatchee National Forest, especially in brush and grass, where the fires can be fast moving.

Aircraft from the Moses Lake Base are used to combat fires in all of the Northwest, including Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.