Pekanbaru, Riau, March 23 (Antarariau.com) - The Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) Headquarters has sent a Puma SA 330 L helicopter to help prevent and control land and forest fires in Riau province.
"This is proof of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Bases seriousness to help prevent and control land and forest fires in Riau," Commander of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Base Commodore Henri Alfiandi said here on Wednesday.
The helicopter which was sent from the Air Squadron 8 Wing 4 of the Atang Sanjaya Air Base in Bogor, West Java, can be used for various activities, including transporting personnel and conducting water bombing, he said.
"In essence, the helicopter will help the government control fires more optimally," he said.
Chief of the Roesmin Nurjadin Air Bases information service Major Sus Rizwar said the helicopter will perform its duties under the command of the land and forest fire control task force.
The helicopter which is capable of carrying up to 16 people is piloted by Major Immanuel.
Immanuel said the helicopter is normally used for Search and Rescue (SAR) activities but it can also be used for other activities, including development of air potentials, joint exercise, and helping strengthen the land and forest fire control task force.
The helicopter which can fly for a maximum of three hours will be stationed in Riau as long as it is needed.
"In essence, it will be here for a quite long time. Only its crew members will likely be replaced, while it will continue to stay here," he said.
Terra and Aqua Satellites detected eight hotspots in four districts in Riau Province on March 20.
Sugarin, head of the Pekanbaru meteorology, climatology and geophysics office, said three of the eight hotspots were confirmed to have come from forest and plantation fires.
Brigadier General Nurendi, commander of the Forest Fire Task Force, said six units of military personnel have been deployed in Riau to extinguish and prevent forest, peatland and plantation fires.
On March 7, the Riau provincial government declared an emergency alert status, indicating the need to expedite the efforts to prevent and handle forest and land fires following the discovery of the hotspots.
The status, which will remain effective for three months, is aimed at expediting the measures to handle and prevent forest and land fires.
Air Force Sends Puma Chopper to Help Riau Forest Fire
