Air Force aids dousing of Muthurajawela fire

The Air Force deployed a Mi 17 helicopter with a 2,400 ltr Bambi Bucket from Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Katunayake to assist in fighting a sudden fire which erupted in the Muthurajawela reserve area.

They were responding to a request of the Disaster Management Centre.

On the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, a MI-17 helicopter of the No 6 Squadron was used immediately to carry-out the Bambi Bucket Operation. The helicopter was captained by Squadron Leader Prasanna Gunaratne and co- piloted by Flight Lieutenant Indika Bandara.

The helicopter carried out 8 Bambi operations before returning.