Second Firefighting Helicopter Delivered to Lebanon
Lebanon received the second delivery of a Sikorsky N61 firefighting helicopter on Wednesday. The first delivery was made early in June amidst an official celebration in which the symbolic ignition key were presented to President Michel Suleiman.
One more helicopter remains to be delivered.
Interior Minister Ziad Baroud accompanied by Beirut international airport”s head of security Brigadier general Wafiq Shuqair and members from the environmental group “Akhdar Dayem” –[Forever Green].
The Sikorskis” are capable of carrying 3500 liters of water compared to Lebanon”s current choppers that can only take up to 900 liters. The new Sikorskis are also equipped with instruments allowing them to operate under difficult weather conditions day and night with a speed of 210 Km p/hr.
The firefighting helicopters are equipped to carry 19 persons and conduct various search and rescue operations in addition to medical evacuation and firefighting missions.