Turkey-based CMC Savunma Sanayi has renewed its aerial firefighting contract with Columbia Helicopters for the 2025 fire season, marking the fifth consecutive year of collaboration. The agreement extends Columbia’s role in supporting the Turkish General Directorate of Forestry’s wildfire response efforts.

Columbia will deploy four Chinook Model 234 multi-mission helicopters, the commercial variant of the CH-47, each equipped with a 2,600-gallon Bambi Bucket for targeted water and fire retardant delivery. Flight crews and maintenance personnel will support missions throughout the fire season, which runs from May to October and peaks in the summer months.

“After four years of successful firefighting operations, their 234 multi-mission Chinook helicopters have become a key asset in our support to the Turkish General Directorate of Forestry,” CMC president and CEO Cem Çolak said.

There is growing demand for aerial firefighting resources as wildfire activity intensifies across the region. Data from Turkey’s General Directorate of Forestry indicates that wildfire incidents in the country have risen from approximately 2,950 in 2020 to an estimated 3,800 in 2024.

Scott Rumsby, crew chief for Aircraft 37 and Turkey operations lead, acknowledged the increasing severity of fire seasons. “The 2024 season was especially challenging, with record-breaking temperatures driving conditions that required rapid and sustained response,” he said.