Hemet in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Airtanker 82
August 13, 1994
| | C-130 N135FF | |
Photographed by Craig Baker
1. Airtanker 82 Marker
This monument is dedicated to all airtanker pilots who have lost their lives while protecting federal, state, and private lands of the United States of America, and in particular to the flight crew of Airtanker 82 who gave their lives in the line of duty on August 13, 1994.
In Memory:
Bob Buc, pilot.
Joe Johnson, co-pilot.
Shawn Zaremba, flight engineer.
On any given day they take to the sky.
Their destiny in question, yet they never ask why.
As they race to the fire on strong metal wings,
This day in the air they are truly the kings!
So fly on, gallant heroes, and give it your best,
Let it be known, you flew over the rest!
When your last flight finally comes to an end,
You soared with eagles; you rode on the wind.
- P. Neal, 1995
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • Heroes • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 13, 1994.
Location. 33° 43.813′ N, 117° 1.314′ W. Marker is in Hemet, California, in Riverside County. It can be reached from the intersection of Stetson Avenue and Walden Weaver Road. Located at the control tower of Ryan Air Attack Base at Hemet-Ryan Airport.
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Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Inland Empire, and in the Peninsular Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Transpolar Record Flight Site (approx. 4 miles away); Hemet Maze Stone (approx. 4 miles away); "Ramona" (approx. 4.2 miles away); Pochea Indian Village Site (approx. 4.2 miles away); Estudillo Mansion (approx. 4.7 miles away); Soviet Transpolar Landing Site (approx. 5.1 miles away); Fred McCall Family (approx. 7½ miles away); Motte Brothers (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hemet.
Regarding Airtanker 82. On August 13, 1994, three people were killed when a C-130 air tanker on its way to fight a wildfire broke up in mid-air and crashed into the mountains near Palmdale. The air tanker, carrying fire-retarding chemicals, had taken off from Hemet-Ryan airport, and was on its way to fight a wildfire in Kern County to the north. The three men were employees of the Hemet Valley Flying Service, which owned the plane and contracted it out to the Forest Service to help combat fires.
While in level flight, the airplane's right wing separated and the fuel caught fire as the wreckage fell. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the
Photographed by Craig Baker
2. Airtanker 82 Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Another C-130 air tanker crashed under similar circumstances.
Photographed by Craig Baker
3. Control Tower / Estelle Lookout
This fire lookout tower was built in 1935 on Estelle Mountain. It was moved to this location in 1958.
Photographed by Werner Fischdick
4. Airtanker 82 in 1992
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 2, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
