Over the past week, we conducted an intensive flight training programme at Přerov Airport, focused on aerial firefighting operations. Our crews underwent recurrent training to maintain and extend their qualifications, while new team members were prepared for deployment under conditions closely replicating real-world operations.
The training schedule was designed with an emphasis on maximum efficiency, full utilization of both the aerodrome infrastructure and the Tovačov water reservoir, while minimizing environmental and community impact. Key focus areas included drop accuracy, operational flow, and precise coordination. The synchronization of four helicopters operating within a confined airspace placed high demands on discipline and strict adherence to timing and procedures.
Crews practiced water drops across multiple designated zones at the aerodrome and over the water surface, incorporating real operational variables such as wind conditions, simulated fire spread direction, and specific flight parameters. Each drop was evaluated in terms of accuracy, reflecting the operational reality where every water drop is both time-critical and tactically significant.
During the training, UH-60 helicopters were equipped with underslung Bambi Buckets as well as belly-mounted Helitak systems. This allowed us to train coordination between different types of equipment with distinct flight characteristics and water pick-up cycle times—mirroring the complexity of real firefighting missions.
The training also involved firefighting units from the Olomouc, Moravian-Silesian, and South Moravian regions, along with the airport fire service at Přerov, who provided essential support during water refilling operations. Thanks to their professional approach, the entire training exercise was conducted smoothly and efficiently.
Such training activities form a core part of our systematic preparation for wildfire response operations and fulfill the requirements of contracts we execute across Europe, including in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, and Cyprus. They play a key role in maintaining a high level of operational readiness of our crews for deployment in diverse environments and conditions.
As part of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, specifically the rescEU reserve, we contribute to a pool of specialized aerial firefighting capacities designed to support large-scale wildfire response across Europe. When required, we stand ready to deploy.
Photo credit: [Magdalena Michalew, Kacper Pofelski]
