PAF dispatches Huey II to help fight Baler forest fire

Huey II (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Saturday deployed another Huey II helicopter to help combat the ongoing forest fire in Sitio Diguisit, Barangay Zabali, Baler town, Aurora Friday.

The aircraft was from the Air Force’s 505th Search-and-Rescue Group, PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya said.

He added that the Huey II, which was fitted with firefighting equipment, was deployed last Friday.

Canaya said that the aircraft and its crew immediately performed three sorties and dropped 58 “Bambi” drops in the affected areas.

Each “Bambi” bucket is equivalent to five drums of water.

Canaya said that their “Bambi” bucket operations are still ongoing as of Saturday morning under the supervision of the Tactical Operations Group 3 commander Lt. Col. Aristotle Gonzalez.

This is in coordination with Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and other government agencies in the area.