Helicopters Magazine

Features Aerial Firefighting
Coulson Aviation provides aerial firefighting support to Argentina

February 22, 2023  By Helicopters Staff


Coulson Aviation will provide aerial firefighting support services to Argentina through the Canadian Commercial Corporation. (Photo: Michael Nevin)

Coulson Aviation is providing aerial firefighting support services to Argentina through a $6.8 million government to government contract between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and Argentina’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MAyDS). Beginning in January 2023, one of Coulson’s CH-47 helitankers is on a contract for a four-month period to meet Argentina’s aerial fire needs.

“The 10,000-litre capacity CH-47 is not only the largest payload commercially available helicopter, it’s also one of the fastest,” said Britton Coulson, President and COO, Coulson Aviation. “We have been operating this fleet type worldwide with excellent serviceability and look forward to demonstrating its capabilities to the Argentine government.”

This government to government contract comes as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) and MAyDS to bring Canadian firefighting expertise and technology to Argentina and is financed by Argentina’s National Fire Management Program (Servicio Nacional del Manejo del Fuego – PNMF), which supports the monitoring, prevention and management of the country’s fire emergencies.

“As a country with almost 362 million hectares of forests, Canada understands the importance of protecting this valuable natural resource and stands ready to share firefighting expertise and technology with Argentina,” said Reid Sirrs, Canadian Ambassador to Argentina.

Advertisement

CCC is Canada’s government to government contracting agency. Through CCC’s International Prime Contractor service, the Government of Canada brings qualified Canadian companies to meet the needs of government buyers around the world.

In September 2019, Coulson, in partnership with CCC, signed an agreement with the Bolivian government to supply its aerial firefighting support services by providing 18 crew members along with three helicopters, including two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters and a custom Chinook CH-47D. Coulson became the first Canadian company to send aircraft and their crews to combat fires in the Bolivian Amazon rainforest.

Advertisement

Stories continue below