Two Croatian Air Force Canadairs to assist fighting the fires in Israel
Two CL 415 Canadairs of the Firefighter Squadron of the 93 Air Base took off from the Barracks at Zemunik towards Israel to assist in fighting large fires breaking out in the north and central parts of the country.
The firefighting contingent is composed of crews and air technicians led by Lt. Col. Davor Turković and Lt. Col. Goran Vlahović and Major Tomislav Slavica and Major Željko Žugaj.
The Commander of the Firefighter Squadron, Lt. Col. Davor Turković said that following the receipt of the information all necessary preparations have been done for the flyover to the Hatzor Air Base in Israel.
“Along with the humanitarian dimension and recognition of the developed caability for international assistance, this mission promotes the reputation and the capabilities of the Republic of Croatia and its Armed Forces. Shortly after landing in the Israeli base we shall attend a meeting and briefing on the situation at the firesites, prior to the concrete task assignment. We are ready to assist the Israelis to extinguish the fires and sanitate the fire sites“, stressed Lt.Col. Turković.
This is the second Croatian firefighter forces’ assistance to Israel, the first one being provided with one Canadair in December 2010. The Croatian air crews were presented with the Israel Prize, at a reception with the then President of Israel Shimon Peres.
The last foreign engagement for the Croatian firefighter forces was in Portugal in 2013, with two Canadairs dispatched.
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