Mission-Ready Mindset: Inside the Largest Private Fleet of Water Bombers in the U.S. w/ Sam Davis

Planes scooping water from lakes. Crews flying into firestorms. Mechanics maintaining aircraft in warzone-like conditions. It sounds like a military operation, because in many ways, it is. As wildfires grow more frequent, more destructive, and more deadly, the national spotlight is turning to one of the most critical and overlooked fronts in disaster response: aerial firefighting. Events like the Lahaina fire and the Palisades blaze have shown just how high the stakes are and how essential rapid, airborne intervention has become in saving lives, homes, and ecosystems. Bridger Aerospace sits at the center of this transformation. With a mission rooted in military discipline and public service, the company combines aviation, emergency response, and cutting-edge technology in a way few others can. In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Davis, CEO of Bridger Aerospace, operator of the largest private fleet of CL-415 “Super Scoopers” in the U.S. Sam opens up about what it’s really like to run a year-round, 200-person aviation operation with aircraft flying low over burning terrain across the country. From supply chain crunches to political backlash, it’s a raw look inside one of the most demanding jobs in aviation today. We also talk about how Bridger Aerospace is pioneering wildfire response using military-grade sensors, early detection aircraft, and a culture of service that rivals special ops. You’ll learn: Why aerial firefighting is one of the most complex aviation operations in the U.S. How Bridger balances safety, inventory, and downtime in remote environments What it takes to recruit and train elite pilots for low-altitude wildfire missions Why sensors, software, and year-round deployments are the future of firefighting How culture, passion, and purpose drive performance in high-risk settings The role of private enterprise in strengthening America’s wildfire defense Guest Bio Sam Davis is the CEO of Bridger Aerospace. Bridger Aerospace is an aerial firefighting and aerospace services company based in Belgrade, Montana, located at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (KBZN). It was founded in 2014 to support frontline firefighters with world-leading technology and aerial fire suppression systems. Since its inception, the company has grown from operating a single plane to commanding a significant Air Attack fleet, the most modern fire imaging and surveillance aircraft, and the world’s largest private Super Scooper fleet. Sam is integral in facilitating revenue growth, implementing operational efficiency, and executing strategic initiatives to expand services and global footprint. Visit https://bridgeraerospace.com/ and connect with Sam on LinkedIn . About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association. Check out this episode on our website , Apple Podcasts , or Spotify , and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!