During August, HELI COMPANY’s UH-60A Black Hawk was deployed to support several major forest fires in western Slovakia, including operations in the Záhorie Military District and in the vicinity of the village of Trstín. In both cases, the helicopter supported ground firefighting units and provided aerial assistance in areas where access for ground forces was difficult.
Záhorie Military District
The fire in the Záhorie Military District broke out on 8 August and affected a large area within the military district. The firefighting operation was complicated by the challenging terrain and the nature of the area, which made access difficult for ground units in certain locations.
Professional and volunteer firefighters, the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic and other emergency response units were involved in the firefighting operation. They were also supported from the air by HELI COMPANY’s UH-60A Black Hawk, which conducted aerial firefighting operations and helped contain the further spread of the fire.
Thanks to the coordinated deployment of ground and aerial assets, the fire was successfully brought under control.
Major Fire Near Trstín
Another challenging firefighting operation took place in the vicinity of the village of Trstín in the Trnava District, where the fire affected approximately 130 hectares of forest and grassland. Strong winds and numerous hard-to-reach fire hotspots significantly complicated the situation.
HELI COMPANY’s UH-60A Black Hawk was also deployed to the operation, providing aerial firefighting support to ground firefighting units. The helicopter collected water from the Buková water reservoir and subsequently conducted water drops directly onto the fire-affected area, enabling rapid firefighting intervention even in locations that were difficult or inaccessible for ground units.
Both operations once again demonstrated the high effectiveness of aerial firefighting assets in large-scale forest fires and difficult terrain. The UH-60 Black Hawk’s ability to rapidly deliver a large volume of water directly to the fire-affected area provides significant support to ground forces, particularly in rugged terrain or when fires spread across extensive areas.
We are proud that HELI COMPANY was once again able to support the Fire and Rescue Service of the Slovak Republic (HaZZ SR), the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic and other emergency response units in mitigating the impact of wildfires in Slovakia. With its UH-60 Black Hawk, professional crew, and rapid and effective response, HELI COMPANY continues to provide valuable aerial firefighting support when and where it is needed most.
