He said the Black Hawk, which combines state-of-the-art-technology, including a digital cabin, a digital automatic system and an advanced GPS system, will be used by the Civil Defense.
“This kind of aircraft can ensure the safe transport of military personnel and is capable of efficiently carrying out search and rescue operations,” he said.
Al-Harbi said since its arrival in the Kingdom early August, the aircraft carried out 42 sorties over 74 flying hours. He expected the sorties to reach 62 and the flying hours 100 by the end of Ramadan.
Al-Harbi said the Civil Defense has five modern and well-equipped aircraft and added that the assignments of the Civil Defense during the fasting month consist of firefighting and rescue operations in addition to evacuation of sick or injured people.
“The medical evacuation aircraft are well equipped with qualified medical personnel and equipment, including ECG and artificial respirators,” he said.
Al-Harbi said all the aircraft were fully manned by qualified Saudi cadres. “The crew of each aircraft consists of a pilot, an assistant pilot, a navigator, an engineer and a paramedic,” he said.
He also said Civil Defense aircraft were also being used in the surveillance of all roads leading to Makkah and in the evacuation of sick pilgrims. “There is consistent coordination between the Civil Defense and the hospitals in this regard,” he said.
Asked how Civil Defense aircraft would deal with possible emergencies in the skyscrapers in the holy city, the commander said they deal with each building according to its height. The heights of the buildings have increased from 2,500 feet above sea level to 3,000 feet.
“Our aircraft are capable of maneuvering around the large number of high rises in the city,” he reiterated.
Al-Harbi said work on existing Civil Defense airbases continues to provide them with new facilities, including airfields, warehouses, workshops, training centers and support structures.
He said the idea of having independent airbases in Makkah and Madinah was currently being mooted.
The commander said Civil Defense aircraft are called to participate in firefighting operations whenever an urgent need to beef up ground units was felt. “We are usually called to help deal with fires in open spaces and forests,” he said.
Al-Harbi said the Civil Defense aircraft were equipped with thermal cameras able to work efficiently at night. He added that the only hurdles they face were bad weather and signal interruption from satellite dishes.
Al-Harbi said Civil Defense pilots are sent to the US for training while technicians get their training in Australia. “So far we have sent three batches, consisting of 79 pilots and 150 technicians, to the two countries for training,” he said.
