Canadair HRZ-a poletio u Izrael: Pomoći ćemo našim znanjem i iskustvom u gašenju požara | Foto: HRZ/ R. Medved
Canadair of the Croatian Air Force took off to Israel: We will help with our knowledge and experience in extinguishing the fire
In accordance with the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia on crossing of the border by the Croatian Armed Forces to provide humanitarian aid abroad, Minister Anušić issued an order to send aircraft and crews of the Croatian Air Force to Israel
A Canadair CL-415 firefighting aircraft of the Croatian Air Force with two crews was sent to the State of Israel this morning, on 1 May 2025, to provide humanitarian aid in extinguishing the fire. The order to this effect was issued by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, based on a decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
A total of eleven members of the 855th Firefighting Squadron of the 93rd Wing of the Croatian Air Force were sent to the activity, i.e. four pilots, two flight technicians and five aviation technicians.
The Commander of the forces, Canadair CL-415 Captain Major Ante Vranjić, before leaving for this mission, confirmed the crew’s readiness for this firefighting assistance operation, emphasizing that the Croatian Army is always ready to provide assistance to friends, allies and partners.
“The crews that are leaving today for their mission to Israel are fully prepared. The pilots and technicians of the 855th Firefighting Squadron have already been engaged in firefighting missions in Israel, and we hope that with our knowledge and experience we will provide the necessary assistance this time as well,” he said.
The order approving the use of one Canadian Air Force Canadair CL-415 aircraft with two crews to provide humanitarian aid in extinguishing fires in the State of Israel was issued yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić in accordance with the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia on the crossing of the border of the Croatian Armed Forces to provide humanitarian aid abroad on fire protection missions in 2025.
This is the fifth time that Croatian air firefighting forces have provided assistance in extinguishing fires in Israel. The first deployment with one Canadair was in 2010. Two Canadairs were deployed in 2016 and 2017, and the last time assistance was provided in 2019.
During the past year, firefighting aircraft of the Firefighting Special Purpose Forces of the Croatian Armed Forces were engaged in extinguishing fires in the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of North Macedonia.
