Croatian airplanes are in Israel for a training mission.
Two fire-fighting airplanes (Canadair CL-415) of the Croatian Air Force, together with members of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, left Croatia on Sunday and flew to Israel where they are taking part in a joint training mission with Israel’s Air Force. The training will last until the 8th of June, reports Večernji List on 6 June 2017.
During a training session conducted by members of the Croatian Air Force and the Israeli forces near the town of Bet Guvrin in central Israel, a fire broke out, Croatian aircraft immediately reacted and were sent to the fire site, according to the Defence Ministry. Thanks to the joint efforts of both Croatian and Israeli air forces, the fire was successfully localised.
Members of the fire-fighting squadron went to Israel for joint training in accordance with the memorandum of understanding in the field of defense, which was concluded in March 2017 and signed by Croatian Defence Minister Damir Krstičević and Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
In November 2016, Croatian fire-fighting crews drew praise from Israeli officials for their efforts. At the time, large-scale wildfires were raging in Israel, which asked several countries to help, and Croatia sent its planes and crews. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited a military base in Hatzor where he met with the Croatian teams of two fire-fighting airplanes. The crews and the planes were in Israel owing to the invitation of Israeli authorities to help fight wildfires.
The Croatian commander explained to Netanyahu the piloting techniques used by Croatian crews, all of whom have extensive experience with fighting wildfires on the Croatian coast. He then invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to enter one of the airplanes and sit in the captain’s chair.
During the November visit, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to Croatia for its prompt response to the call for help, the rapid arrival of Croatian airplanes, and the speedy inclusion in fire-fighting efforts.
