BANGKOK, Jan 30 (TNA) — The Royal Thai Army and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation signed an agreement to jointly use KA-32 helicopters for disaster response missions.
Army deputy spokesperson Col Sirichan Ngathong said Maj Gen Warut Nonthawong, commander of the Army Aviation Center, and Monthol Sudprasert, director-general of the department, signed the memorandum of understanding at the department.
“The memorandum of understanding leads to cooperation between the two organizations to use equipment, aircraft and aviation personnel to enhance disaster relief capacities,” Col Sirichan said.
According to her, the memorandum set details for the use of KA-32 helicopters of the department. The army assigns its pilots and mechanics, provides a hangar, and supervises the operations of the helicopters.
Two KA-32 helicopters were used for wildfire-extinguishing drills in the North on Jan 27-30 and for a real firefighting operation on Doi Phra Bat mountain in Lampang province on Jan 29.
KA-32 helicopters were designed to fight fires on buildings including high rises. They can also be applied for search and rescue missions, transport of people and equipment and drought relief operations. Each helicopter was equipped with a 3,000-liter water tank, a 5,000-liter water bucket, a 10-liter foam tank, a water nozzle and a winch. (TNA)
