Columbia Helicopters has announced the renewal of its aerial firefighting services contract in Turkey with CMC Defence Industry Inc This agreement marks Columbia’s fifth fire season contributing to Turkey’s forest fire response strategy.
Under the new contract, Columbia will deploy four Columbia 234 Multi-Mission Chinook helicopters for the 2025 fire season. These helicopters will be supported by experienced flight crews and specialized maintenance personnel.
Equipped with 2,600-gallon Bambi Buckets, the Chinook helicopters are capable of delivering precise water and fire retardant drops in high-risk areas. David Balevic, President and CEO of Columbia Helicopters, commented:
“We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with CMC. This multi-year collaboration reflects the trust we’ve built and the consistent performance our teams deliver. As Turkey prepares for the upcoming fire season, we are honored to support national efforts to protect lives, forests, and critical infrastructure.”
Cem Çolak, Chairman and CEO of CMC Defence Industry Inc. also expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation:
“Our strategic partnership with Columbia Helicopters plays a vital role in Turkey’s fight against forest fires. After four years of successful operations, the Multi-Mission Chinook helicopters have become a cornerstone of the support we provide to the Turkish General Directorate of Forestry. While there were approximately 2,950 forest fire incidents in 2020, the number reached 3,800 in 2024. This increase highlights the critical importance of response capacity.”
Scott Rumsby, Turkey Operations Lead and Crew Chief of Aircraft 37, shared his thoughts on the 2024 fire season:
“Our team directly witnessed the growing intensity and scope of the fires in the field. The 2024 season was particularly challenging due to record-breaking temperatures. It’s a great honor for us to work side by side with Turkish crews under conditions requiring constant and rapid response.”
Forest fire season in Turkey typically runs from May through October, peaking in July and August.
