Battle

While helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon, firefighters with the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots cut a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012. The Waldo Canyon fire has grown to 18,500 acres and burned more than 300 homes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Battle buddies

Firefighters from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots cut a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., while helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon on June 28, 2012. The Waldo Canyon fire has grown to 18,500 acres and burned more than 300 homes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Battle continues

Fire still burns in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., while firefighters continue to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon on June 28, 2012. Currently, more than 90 firefighters from the Academy, along with assets from Air Force Space Command; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; Fort Carson, Colo.; and the local community continue to fight the Waldo Canyon fire.(U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Catching a breath

Chris Loung wipes sweat from his face while cutting a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012. The Waldo Canyon fire has grown to 18,500 acres and burned more than 300 homes. Loung is a firefighter with the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Chop it down

Brad Mabery prepares to cut down a tree with a chainsaw while clearing a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012. Mabery and the rest of the firefighters from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots are helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Clear the line

Brad Mabery cuts a tree with his chainsaw while clearing a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 28, 2012. Mabery and the rest of the firefighters of the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots are helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Clear the line

Marissa Halbeisen helps cut and clear a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012. Currently, more than 90 firefighters from the U.S. Air Force Academy, along with assets from Air Force Space Command; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; Fort Carson, Colo.; and the local community continue to fight the Waldo Canyon fire. Halbeisen is a firefighter with the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Cut a line

Brad Mabery downs a tree with a chainsaw while cutting and clearing a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012. Mabery and the rest of the firefighters with the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots are helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Digging in

Lupe Covarrubias cuts a fire line on June 28, 2012 in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Co. while helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. Currently, more than 90 firefighters from the Academy, along with assets from Air Force Space Command; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; Fort Carson, Colo.; and the local community continue to fight the Waldo Canyon fire. Covarrubias is a firefighter with the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Fighting fires

Lupe Covarrubias cuts a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., while helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon on June 28, 2012. The Waldo Canyon fire has grown to 18,500 acres and burned more than 300 homes. Covarrubias is a firefighter with the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Fuel stop

Brad Mabery downs a tree with a chainsaw with the help of Marissa Halbeisen while cutting and clearing a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012, Mabery and Halbeisen, both firefighters with the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots, are helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Getting ready

Nathan Ogan looks out at his worksite for the day in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., on June 28, 2012. Ogan and the rest of the firefighters of the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots cut a fire line to help battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Hot shots

Vandenberg Air Force Base Hot Shot firefighters prepare to cut a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., while helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon on June 28, 2012. The Waldo Canyon fire has grown to 18,500 acres and burned more than 300 homes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Quick break

Chris Loung looks at his phone during a team lunch break from cutting a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012. Loung and the rest of the firefighters of the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots are helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Stop line

Firefighters from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots cut a fire line in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., while helping to battle several fires in Waldo Canyon on June 28, 2012. Currently, more than 90 firefighters from the U.S. Air Force Academy, along with assets from Air Force Space Command; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; Fort Carson, Colo.; and the local community continue to fight the Waldo Canyon fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Taking a look

Richard Strange looks out at his worksite for the day in the Mount Saint Francois area of Colorado Springs, Colo., June 28, 2012. Strange and the rest of the firefighters o the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Hot Shots helped battle several fires in Waldo Canyon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

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Vandenberg Hot Shots battle Colorado wildfires

Published July 5, 2012
from Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. -- The Hot Shots from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. came to Colorado Springs Tuesday to aid in the fight against the Waldo Canyon fire.

The 18-member crew arrived with two hot shots crew carrier vehicles, one superintendant support vehicle and one all terrain vehicle. Photographer MSgt Jeremy Lock, USAF documented their efforts fighting the fire in and around Colorado Springs and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Battle

Battle buddies

Battle continues

Catching a breath

Chop it down

Clear the line

Clear the line

Cut a line

Digging in

Fighting fires

Fuel stop

Getting ready

Hot shots

Quick break

Stop line

Taking a look