CPS Camp Number 103

CPS Camp Number 103

Technical Agency: Forest Service

Summary:

CPS Camp No. 103, a Forest Service base camp in Missoula, Montana operated by Mennonite Central Committee in cooperation with the Brethren and Friends Service Committees, opened in May 1943 and closed in April 1946. Men in the unit, highly trained, parachuted into rugged country to put out forest fires; in down times they performed prevention work.

CPS Camp No. 103 Smoke Jumper
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Smokejumper 431603. Parachute caught in a tree, 1945
Digital Image from American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Date: 1945
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Smokejumper 431684. Parachuting view from Plane
Digital Image from American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Smokejumper 431807
Digital Image from American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Date: 1945
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Smokejumpers stitching up parachutes
Digital Image from American Friends Service Committee: Civilian Public Service Records (DG002), Swarthmore College Peace Collection, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Date: 1945
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Dale Yoder at CPS Camp 103. Accurate steering cannot be done and gusty winds may cause the jumper to land among the trees. Although the silk materials of the parachutes are unusually strong, repairs must frequently be made on them before they're repacked.
Photo 59 Box 2, Folder 17. MCC Photographs, Civilian Public Service, 1941-1947. IX-13-2.2. Mennonite Central Committee Photo Archive
CPS Camp 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Civilian Public Service camp 103, Missoula, Montana. Left: Glenn Smith, Forest Service, Squad Leader. Right: Harry Mishler.
Box 2, Folder 17. MCC Photographs, Civilian Public Service, 1941-1947. IX-13-2.2. Mennonite Central Committee Photo Archive
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Civilian Public Service camp 103, Missoula, Montana. The horizontal ladder. Part of the obstacle course. Left to right: Oliver Huset, George Leavitt.
Box 2, Folder 17. MCC Photographs, Civilian Public Service, 1941-1947. IX-13-2.2. Mennonite Central Committee Photo Archive
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Civilian Public Service camp 103, Missoula, Montana. A jump from the training tower simulates jumping from a plane. The same procedure and technique is followed as in a real jump, and the shock when the rope pulls taut is approximately equivelant to the opening shock of the parachute.
Box 2, Folder 17. MCC Photographs, Civilian Public Service, 1941-1947. IX-13-2.2. Mennonite Central Committee Photo Archive
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Civilian Public Service camp 103, Missoula, Montana. Training.
Photo 293 Box 2, Folder 17. MCC Photographs, Civilian Public Service, 1941-1947. IX-13-2.2. Mennonite Central Committee Photo Archive
CPS Camp No. 103
CPS Camp No. 103, Missoula at Huson, Montana
Civilian Public Service camp 103, Missoula, Montana. Smoke Jumpers Camp. As soon as jumpers are dropped to a fire, a mule string carrying additional food supplies starts out to the scene via trail.
Photo 60 Box 2, Folder 17. MCC Photographs, Civilian Public Service, 1941-1947. IX-13-2.2. Mennonite Central Committee Photo Archive

Pages

Units:

* Map shows general location of units

  • Location: Huson, Montana | Opened: May 1943 | Closed: April 1946