Croatian aircraft in Greece to help fight wildfires
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo: HRZ/ R. Medved)
A total of ten members from the 855th Firefighting Squadron of the 93rd Wing of the Croatian Air Force (HRZ) have been deployed: four pilots, two flight engineers, and four aircraft technicians.
A Croatian Air Force Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft, with two crews, was dispatched to Greece today, 1 October 2024, to provide humanitarian assistance in combating wildfires.
This follows the order from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, Ivan Anušić.
The deployment consists of ten personnel from the 855th Firefighting Squadron of the 93rd Wing, including four pilots, two flight engineers, and four aircraft technicians.
(Photo: HRZ/ R. Medved)
Before setting off on the mission, Major Ivica Markač, captain of the Canadair CL-415, reaffirmed the readiness of the Croatian Armed Forces to assist their friends, allies, and partners: “We are ready for the task, and it is always a pleasure to be able to help other countries with our capabilities. We were deployed in Greece last year, and this year, too, we are prepared to meet any challenges presented to us.”
(Photo: HRZ/ R. Medved)
The Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft, with two crews, will be engaged in Greece as part of the European Civil Protection Mechanism (rescEU).
(Photo: HRZ/ R. Medved)
To assist other countries, the Republic of Croatia has made Croatian Air Force firefighting units available for constant readiness from June to October 2024, with two Canadair CL-415 aircraft on standby.
(Photo: HRZ/ R. Medved)
Earlier this year, members of the 855th Firefighting Squadron took part in firefighting operations in North Macedonia, and in 2023, they were deployed three times to combat wildfires in Greece.
