Air Corps helicopters fly over Border to help northern firefighters

The Irish Air Corps helicopters have been called to cross the border to help the Irish Fire Service North.

Defense Force helicopters deployed last night to Armagh, 3 km north of the border.

The fire, on Ballintemple Road, has been raging for about four days now.

It is understood that the approval of the operation of the helicopter was granted following contacts between the Defense Forces, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Housing, Planning and Local Governments

. authorizations were in place for the Air Corps to cross the border. This is the first time that a request has been made for such emergency services, although they have been asked to help other countries at the border. .

The Minister of Defense, Paul Kehoe, confirmed that the operation had been approved. He said the Air Corps was waiting to respond to the demand for help from fires caused by hot weather.

"This deployment is the latest example of how our Defense Forces and Air Corps are helping other agencies to ensure their security," he said.

AW139 and EC135 were deployed.

The AW139 helicopter is equipped with an air defense system against bambi bucket fires capable of dropping 1,200 liters of water.

Irish Independent