In the period from May 30 to May 31, 2019 ground and air training of the landing and fire groups of the Ust-Kamenogorsk, Ridders and Katon-Karagai aviation departments took place on the territory of the Ust-Kamenogorsk aviation department.

The paratroopers-firefighters made descents from the MI-8 helicopter to the ground using a special trigger device (SUR). Descents were carried out from a height of 20 meters. From such a height, paratrooper-firefighters have to work directly in extinguishing forest fires.

A helicopter can approach the ground as far as the treetops allow. Some paratrooper firemen have more than 50 helicopter descents. They put out fires in different regions of the country. Practicing the skills of the "forest special forces” was conducted by experienced mentors - pilot-observers, managers of flight-production and air-fire services.

It should be noted that it is not always possible to reach the area of ​​the current forest fire by ground transportation, and when delivering forces and means by aviation, it is not possible to select a site for a safe landing. In such cases, the decision is made to land in the fire area with a helicopter. The pilot-observer from the air selects a landing area suitable for the descent of paratroopers-firemen, with a size of at least 5x5 meters between the trees. The helicopter hovers above this "well” at a height of at least 10 meters above the treetops (the height to the ground should not exceed 45 meters). The pilot-observer opens the door and drops a particularly strong (900 kg to break) 50-meter cord, through which the paratroopers-firemen descend directly from the helicopter to the ground using a trigger roller device.

During the training, the interaction of the pilot-observer and the paratroopers-firemen, the speed of descent (average - three meters per second), the correct landing and much more.

On the same day, we underwent training sessions on the delivery, coupler-uncoupling of tank P-1.00 (with a volume of 1000 liters), used to deliver water to the place of a forest fire in an inaccessible area. With the help of a sling, to the helicopter, the tank P 1.00 is filled with water and is delivered to the area of ​​the active fire. From the tank, the paratrooper firemen can fill their backpack fire extinguishers and extinguish the fire already on the ground.

Also, the observer pilots worked out the accuracy of the discharge of water to the center of fire with the help of a spillway device (APU). It should be noted that working with the spillway device is difficult and dangerous and requires high training of flight personnel.