On a hot Thursday in East County, San Diego Gas & Electric showed off “Goliath,” a giant water-dropping helicopter brought in a month early to fight this summer’s wildfires.

The Erickson Air Crane, a heavily modified version of a military helicopter, can carry 2,650 gallons of water to drop on fires. That’s the equivalent of six normal firefighting helicopters.

“While this aircraft can do great things, it becomes exceptional when combined with the resources of our state,” said Dan Rice, SDG&E’s aviation services manager, referring to the Cal Fire and San Diego Fire-Rescue officials on hand for the aircraft’s unveiling in a hanger at Gillespie Field.

Click to read more about Goliath in the Times of San Diego.

Photo courtesy of Chris Jennewein.