It is worth pointing out that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, for the first time, are operating outside the country, with the deployment of three CH-47 Chinook helicopters to assist in tackling the problem of forest and peatland fires in Indonesia.
The helicopters landed in West Kalimantan on Thursday on board the transport ship JS Kunisaki, which has a capacity of 8,900 tons. About 350 people are taking part in the mission, Kyodo news agency in Japan reported via Anadolu Ajansı.
The helicopters will be used by the Indonesian military teams for aerial firefighting for approximately a week from the start of the preparation and flight testing. Approximately 5 tons of water per flight are dropped on fire areas by each 47.
The aircraft are being used in the province worst affected by the fire: West Kalimantan. The government of Indonesia has been fighting fires in Sumatra and Borneo, with some 76,933 hectares burned in six hard-hit provinces, according to Reuters. In addition, Indonesia has also employed over 50 aircraft in water bombing and cloud seeding.
The fires have already created heavy smoke and air pollution, contributing to the concerns in Indonesia and neighbouring countries. The mission was aimed at minimizing the damage caused by the fires, Japan’s Defense Ministry said.
The deployment comes as part of a defense cooperation deal between Japan and Indonesia, which was signed in May and involves cooperation in the field of disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
