M1 Awarded $699M Contract to Support CAL FIRE

By: M1 Support Services via Business Wire

January 20, 2026 at 10:30 AM EST

M1 Support Services (M1) announced today it was awarded a contract by the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for Aviation Logistical Services – Pilots and Mechanics. The value of this contract is $699,287,973 if all options are exercised over a five-year period beginning April 15, 2026.

“We are honored to have CAL FIRE place their trust in M1 to support this critical, no fail mission,” said George Krivo, Chairman and CEO of M1 Support Services. “M1 stands for ‘Mission First,’ highlighting our unwavering commitment to our customers and those they serve. We look forward to supporting CAL FIRE in protecting the people, property, and resources of the state of California.”

CAL FIRE’s world-renowned aviation program responds to thousands of wildland fires across California annually. The operational fleet features Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules and Grumman S-2T airtankers, Bell UH-1H Super Huey and Sikorsky S-70i FIREHAWK helicopters, and North American OV-10A (including one D-model) Bronco Air Tactical aircraft. These assets, along with highly skilled crew members, pilots, and support staff, are strategically positioned at one airtanker base, 13 air attack bases, 10 CAL FIRE helitack bases, and one joint CAL FIRE/San Diego County Sheriff helitack base. This distribution allows aircraft to reach even the most remote State Responsibility Area (SRA) fires within approximately 20 minutes, supporting the goal of containing 95% of all fires to 10 acres or less. With nearly 70 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, CAL FIRE operates the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world.

About M1 Support Services, a Cerberus Capital Management Company

M1 Support Services is a mission-first, force-multiplying partner solely dedicated to providing aviation solutions to the U.S. Department of War, allies, and partner nations. Our complete spectrum of services includes flight training and simulation, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), flight operations, logistics, aircraft modifications and upgrades. The only company of scale focused solely on aviation solutions, we execute large, complex programs of national and international significance, supporting the most advanced military aircraft in the world. Learn more at www.M1services.com.