ScholarWorks at University of Montana

Title

Ralph G. Johnston Interview, July 21, 1984

Interviewee

Ralph G. Johnston

Interviewer

Dan Hall

Files

Description

Ralph Johnston discusses his involvement with the U.S. Forest Service using helicopters in firefighting, starting in 1957. He describes the use of helicopters in forest fire control, including as transportation for smokejumpers and for water, retardant, and cargo drops. Johnston talks about the early skepticism about using helicopters to fight fires, the training methods that were developed, and how both the technology and the regulations have evolved over time.

Document Type

Oral History

Subjects

Smokejumping History; Helicopters; Airdrop; Forest fires Prevention and control

Original Date

7-21-1984

Time Period

Twentieth century

Geographic Coverage

Montana

Language

eng

Original Collection

Smokejumpers 1984 Reunion Oral History Collection, OH 133, Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula

Digital Publisher

University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library

Rights

Copyright to this collection is held by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use of this item. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu

Oral History Number

OH 133-052

Media Type

Sound; Text

Original Format

1 sound cassette (35 min.) : analog + 1 transcript (16 p. : 28 cm.)

Digital Format

audio/mp3; application/pdf

Run Time

00:38:45 minutes

Local Filename

OH_133_052.mp3; OH_133_052.pdf

Citation

Johnston, Ralph G., "Ralph G. Johnston Interview, July 21, 1984" (1984). Smokejumpers 1984 Reunion Oral History Project. OH 133-052.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/smokejumpers/65