In an interview with Arab News, he said his force is using as many as 19 S-92 helicopters during this year’s Haj.
“The 300-member Aviation Security Force is comprised of pilots, technicians, administrative staff and emergency workers. There has been an increase in the number of copters as well as crew members in view of a record increase in the number of pilgrims performing Haj this year,” he said.
Al-Harbi said the forces are using three types of copters, including the S-92 and Shawaizer reconnaissance copters, for this year’s Haj. He said all copters are equipped with highly advanced equipment, including the latest means of telecommunications and thermal cameras, and are fitted with night vision gear.
S-92 copters provide modern, multi-mission capabilities that meet the most stringent safety requirements. The helicopter's advanced health and usage monitoring system sets a new level of reliability and enables cutting-edge fleet management services.
According to Al-Harbi, these copters are being used for multi-purpose missions, including reconnaissance, security patrols, rescue, evacuations, fire-extinguishing and air-ambulance services.
“The copters take part in fire-extinguishing and rescue operations by pumping water from above and making available winches. Fitted with highly advanced medical equipment and life-saving instruments, such as cardiac stimulation and artificial respiratory devices and ventilators, they also provide air ambulance services and can help evacuate those who have been trapped in accidents like fire and calamities like flooding,” he said.
The Aviation Security helicopters continue hovering over the skies of Makkah and holy sites for the six days of Haj, monitoring the movement of pilgrims between Makkah, Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat.
They also provide the Aviation Security Force’s operation center with live pictures of crowd and vehicle movement, and give directions to Civil Defense ground teams to tackle emergency cases and determine the best paths to reach accident locations. The copters are also engaged in transporting security forces and equipment.
According to Al-Harbi, the crew for each copter comprises a pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer and two emergency workers. “In cases of medical evacuations, the crew also includes a medical team. The mission is being carried out by well-qualified and trained Saudi personnel,” he said.
At present, there are 30 highly advanced helicopters at various bases of the Aviation Security Force. “We have plans to increase the number of copters as well as trained personnel. We have sent 79 Saudi graduates to the United States to attend civil aviation courses and undergo pilot training, in addition to 150 young men to Australia to complete aviation engineering courses,” he said, adding that procedures are under way to send more Saudi graduates abroad over the coming years.
Referring to medical evacuations, Al-Harbi said: “Our copters are capable of carrying out any types of medical evacuation from areas that ground teams cannot reach either because of crowds or geographic factors. The air ambulances are equipped with all the advanced medical instruments and manned by well-qualified and experienced medical crew.”
According to Al-Harbi, the copters, fitted with night vision gear, can carry out their missions around the clock in the best possible manner. He also noted that there is a command center for Aviation Security at the holy site and it controls all activities of the force. “There are four commands for the force in the Kingdom, one each in Riyadh, Makkah, Asir and the Eastern Province, in addition to a seasonal unit in Madinah.
Al-Harbi said the copters normally work as support units to ground forces. “These copters carry out instant missions whenever needed,” he said, adding that members of the force are expected to achieve up to 187 flying hours by the end of this year’s Haj.
