In a significant boost to Greece’s firefighting capabilities, 28 aircraft from Australian companies have joined the battle against wildfires this summer. A total of 240 pilots, engineers, and support staff from Australia, the USA, Canada, and other countries will participate in the missions during Greece’s wildfire season.
The Greek aerial firefighting fleet has been strengthened with the addition of 28 aircraft from Australian companies for the 2024 summer season.
This includes fourteen AT-802F Fireboss amphibious planes from Pay’s Air Service and an equal number of Bell 214B and 214ST helicopters from McDermott Aviation – Heli Lift, leased by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection through a NATO NSPA tender process.
These efforts are part of a broader international cooperation, with 240 pilots, engineers, and support staff from Australia, the USA, Canada, and other countries manning the missions.
Around 40 Greek personnel will join as coordinators, interpreters, and support staff.
The deployment of these aerial assets began in late May and was completed on June 28. The Australian firefighting aircraft will operate from twelve bases across Greece: Elefsina, Volos, Kalamata, Alexandroupoli, Andravida, Tripoli, Araxos, Ioannina, Thessaloniki, Samos, Rhodes, and Heraklion, Crete, for a 120-day leasing cycle.
Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Alison Duncan, visited the operational bases of Pay’s Air Service at Dekelia Air Base (Tatoi Airport) and McDermott Aviation – Heli Lift at Elefsina Air Base.
She was briefed on the scope and nature of the operations and praised the excellent cooperation with Greek authorities. She also thanked the coordinators and aircraft crews for their professionalism and dedication to their mission in Greece.
“The demanding task of combating wildfires is a particular challenge under the conditions shaped by global climate change. Australian companies have extensive experience in dealing with extreme phenomena and have provided excellent firefighting assets to the Greek State. The fact that the wildfire seasons in Greece and Australia occur during different months favours closer cooperation between our countries,” stated Duncan.
“I wish every success to the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Greek firefighters, and the crews of the Australian assets in their difficult mission this summer.”
This year marks the sixth consecutive year of cooperation between McDermott Aviation – Heli Lift and the Greek State and the fourth year for Pay’s Air Service.
AK Aviation Support Services EE is the contractor for the aircraft leasing contracts from the two Australian companies.
