Charlotte, N.C. — The state Air National Guard on Monday sent two C-130 aircraft equipped to work as aerial firefighting tankers over wildfires near Sacramento, Calif., officials said.

Two more C-130s joined them, carrying support personnel and other equipment. All are part of the 145th Airlift Wing based at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

The firefighting planes carried gear called the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, which lets them take 3,000 gallons of fire-retardant chemicals aloft and drop it along fire lines by lowering their cargo ramps in flight.

How long the Carolina crews will be in California depends on the firefighting needs, the Guard said.