PAF sends more air assets to contain fire at Mt. Apo

From the Daily Tribune (Apr 4): PAF sends more air assets to contain fire at Mt. Apo

The military sent additional air assets to augment efforts to stop the raging forest fire at Mt. Apo where more than 200 hectares had already been destroyed by the blaze that started since March 29.

Col. Araus Robert Musico, spokesman of the Air Force, said that two more UH-1H helicopters were sent to assist in the ongoing  firefighting operation.

“The Air Force is committing additional Hueys as soon as they are available…to contribute to the firefighting effort in Mt. Apo,” said Musico.

“From what I understand we will be sending two more…they will be there this afternoon (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday) morning,” he added.

According to Musico, the Air Force leadership is inclined to send additional Hueys.

Earlier, two Air Force choppers — a Super Huey and a UH-1D both from the Tactical Operations Group 11, were sent to Mt. Apo to help fight the blaze which started March 29.

Musico said that the Super Huey, an upgraded version of the UH-1H, has already undertaken 50 bucket drops since its deployment to Mt. Apo while the UH-1D has been transporting supplies and logistics in the area.

Aside from dropping buckets of water, Musico said that Air Force choppers were also dropping crushed ice to the affected areas.

The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) has also deployed a company-size soldiers, numbering about 120, to provide additional muscles to the ongoing firefighting operation.

Maj. Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of Eastmincom, said that Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen. rey Leonardo Guerrero ordered all disaster response units to be on alert for possible deployment in Mt. Apo.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/paf-sends-more-air-assets-to-contain-fire-at-mt-apo