Nicosia: Cyprus firefighters who helped combat fires in France return home. The Ministry of Defence announced on Sunday that the Cypriot firefighters concluded their mission to assist in combating the major wildfires in France and have returned home, commending them for their dedication, professionalism, and exemplary representation of the Republic of Cyprus abroad.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Ministry announced the completion of the mission of the Air Firefighting Squadron of the Air Force Command to the French Republic, noting that "with the completion of the mission, the aircraft and personnel safely returned to Cyprus and were reintegrated into the national aerial firefighting force, remaining in full operational readiness to address needs within the Republic of Cyprus."
The press release said the mission was carried out following a request from the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), with the aim of supporting the French authorities in dealing with the extensive forest fires that broke out in southern France. The two Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft, along with the flight crews and technical support personnel, operated in southern France, conducting aerial firefighting missions in close cooperation with the French authorities and the other European forces deployed in the area.
Throughout the mission, the personnel demonstrated high professionalism, operational readiness, and excellent cooperation with all involved agencies, significantly contributing to the common European efforts to protect human lives, property, and the natural environment, the press release added.
The Ministry of Defence expressed appreciation to the aircraft crews and the personnel of the Air Firefighting Squadron for their dedication, professionalism, and exemplary representation of the Republic of Cyprus abroad. At the same time, it thanked the French authorities, the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), as well as all involved agencies for excellent cooperation and effective coordination.
"The participation of the Republic of Cyprus in the RescEU operations confirms our country's active role in European civil protection and highlights the operational capability of the National Guard to successfully respond to international missions, promoting the principles of solidarity, cooperation, and mutual assistance among the member states of the European Union," it concluded.