Firefighting Legends: Missoula Crew Gets National Praise

If you’ve ever seen those huge red-and-white tankers lift off from the Missoula airport, you’ve seen Neptune Aviation in action. But now, the rest of the country is hearing about them. Neptune Aviation was recently honored at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards. A fancy ceremony that honors the big names in flight. And for once, the praise was not for a private jet mogul or billionaire space cowboy. It was our aerial firefighters.

Here in Missoula, Neptune has been on the front lines of wildfire suppression for over three decades. Their BAe 146 airtankers and skilled crews have flown into some of the most dangerous conditions possible to help save homes, forests, and entire communities throughout the USA and the world. These aren’t just pilots. They’re the kind of people who run toward smoke when everyone else is running the other way.

And because this is Missoula and life is never boring around here, who do you think was at the awards? Morgan Freeman. Yep. He’s a long-time aviator enthusiast and member of the Living Legends. He showed up like a boss and helped shine a spotlight on Neptune’s work.

This is not only a feather in Neptune’s cap. It’s really a win for all of Missoula. We have known what these crews were made of for years. The rest of the country does now, too. Big ol' congrats to the Neptune team. One airtanker drop at a time, thanks for making Montana proud.

Be safe out there this fire season.