Coulson Aviation provides Argentina with aerial firefighting support
Iain Hoey
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Coulson Aviation has announced that it is providing aerial firefighting support services to Argentina via a CDN $6.8 million dollar government to government contract between the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and Argentina’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MAyDS).
Beginning in January 2023, one of Coulson’s CH-47 helitankers is on a contract for a four-month period to meet Argentina’s aerial fire needs, ensuring quick response to large-scale wildfires.
Britton Coulson, President and COO, Coulson Aviation said: “The 10,000 liter capacity CH-47 is not only the largest payload commercially available helicopter, it’s also one of the fastest. We have been operating this fleet type worldwide with excellent serviceability and look forward to demonstrating its capabilities to the Argentine Government.”
The contract comes as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding between CCC and MAyDS to bring Canadian firefighting expertise and technology to Argentina and is financed by Argentina’s National Fire Management Program (Servicio Nacional del Manejo del Fuego – PNMF), which supports the monitoring, prevention and management of the country’s fire emergencies.
Reid Sirrs, Canadian Ambassador to Argentina, said: “As a country with almost 362 million hectares of forests, Canada understands the importance of protecting this valuable natural resource and stands ready to share firefighting expertise and technology with Argentina.”
In September 2019, Coulson, in partnership with CCC, signed an agreement with the Bolivian government to supply its leading aerial firefighting support services by providing 18 crew members along with three helicopters, including two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters and a custom Chinook CH-47D. Coulson became the first Canadian company to send aircraft and their crews to combat fires in the Bolivian Amazon rainforest.
Wilson Pearce, Senior Director, Global Business Development Operations, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) added “For over 75 years, our government to government contracting approach has connected qualified Canadian companies to government buyers around the world. We’re pleased to further this tradition by connecting Coulson Aviation and the government of Argentina through a G2G contract.”