Aviation Assets Make 39 Water Drops In 23 Flight Hours

Aviation assets of the U.S. Army’s Kosovo Force Regional Command-East (KFOR RC-E) reacted swiftly and decisively with rapid coordination to respond to a wildfire threatening the centuries-old Serbian Orthodox Devic Monastery located in the Drenica Valley. Over the course of 23 flight hours the team made 39 water drops to stave off the fire’s advance.

With hot and dry conditions across the Balkans, local officials requested the aerial support and the KFOR aviation team responded rapidly with 10 pilots, 11 crew chiefs, and support personnel. Within an hour, a UH-60M was launched. The next morning, additional aircraft arrived equipped with Bambi buckets to engage the fire.

Capt. Gregory Davis, KFOR RC-E Brigade Assistant Operations Officer said, “We understood the importance of supporting the local community upon their request, due to the dry season. We wanted to ensure a coordinated effort between the Institutions of Kosovo, the Kosovo Police, the KFOR RC-E maneuver battalion, and our aviation assets.”

Capt. Timothy Mapley, KFOR RC-E Aviation Operations Officer explained, “We wanted to drop a line of water in front of the fire to stop it from spreading. Strategically, you have to draw a line with water to contain the fire and stop the fire from advancing.”

The primary mission of the aerial firefighting was to protect the monastery, which was founded in 1434 and is a sacred site that holds deep spiritual and historical importance for the Serbian Orthodox community and the wider region.

Capt. Mapley added, “Given the monastery’s cultural significance, it was a high-priority mission.”

FMI:  www.dvidshub.net/