Japan's CH-47 Chinook Conducts First Water-Bombing in West Kalimantan

Japan's CH-47 Chinook helicopter successfully conducted its first water-bombing operation in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, on September 23, 2022. The operation involved three passes over Pagar Mentimun Village in Ketapang Regency, according to a Ministry of Defence representative speaking through Japan's CH-47 Chinook Liaison Officer, Captain Dhimas Jati.

The three CH-47 Chinook helicopters stationed in West Kalimantan had been grounded for two days due to haze, which caused visibility issues. One helicopter was unable to fly due to limited visibility, while another remained on standby, waiting for instructions. On September 24, three helicopters are scheduled to resume firefighting operations, with one focusing on Pagar Mentimun Village and Kendawangan District area, and the other two directed to the nearest location, if visibility conditions permit.

Deputy III for Emergency Management at the BNPB, Major General Budi Irawan, expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for their humanitarian mission in tackling forest and land fires in West Kalimantan. The intervention was prioritized due to a prolonged dry spell that triggered the spread of hotspots. The Japan Self-Defense Forces expressed their willingness to collaborate with Indonesia on the mission, which included using CH-47 Chinook helicopters to help extinguish forest fires in Ketapang.