Air Operations Working Team

The Air Operations Working Team (AOWT) is an interagency group of state and federal partners that cooperate to actively identify and resolve issues and share information in regard to aviation operations that involve training, prescribed fire, wildfire and all risk incidents.

MNICS provides the venue for these interagency partners to develop and share standard procedures, practices and information to facilitate, coordinate and support actions on incidents in Minnesota.

The task of planning, organizing and directing aviation assets for response to emergencies in Minnesota has been delegated by the Governor to two different agencies through Executive Order 10-06:

  • The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Forestry is the lead agency responsible for coordinating aircraft during wildfire emergencies.
  • The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), State Patrol, Air Section is the lead agency for coordinating aircraft during non-wildfire (all-risk) emergencies.

Air Operaitons Working Team Charter

MEMBERS

  • 2020 AOWT Roster
  • Current Chair: Darren Neuman, DNR
  • Task Force Rep:  Cory Berg, BIA
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
    • Division of Forestry
    • Division of Enforcement
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM)
    • Minnesota State Patrol
    • Minnesota Army National Guard
    • Civil Air Patrol
    • Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Helicopter Group