As part of the support aimed at controlling fires, the Peruvian Air Force has provided its counterpart in Colombia with several dozen air-droppable containers that integrate the Caylym Guardian system. The transfer of the mentioned material, carried out under the framework of the System of Cooperation among American Air Forces (SICOFFA), will enable the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC) to have additional means to address forest fires.
According to information provided by the Peruvian Air Force (FAP), a Colombian KC-130H aircraft retrieved over 200 containers and three filling system units of the Caylym Guardian airdrop system from the Callao Air Base. The Caylym Guardian system consists of reinforced and biodegradable corrugated cardboard boxes, capable of holding up to 1,000 liters of liquid (retardant agents, mixtures, etc.).
The Guardian system was designed to be deployed from aircraft with a rear door and rollers for cargo drop, “…allowing high-altitude flying planes to perform this type of mission, as it creates a consistent and continuous line of water with retardant liquid…”.
One of the highlights of the system developed by Caylym is that its deployment does not require modifications to the aircraft, as they can be released similarly to A22 containers, without the need for lines and parachutes. The manufacturer details that the Guardian is compatible with C-130 Hercules, C295, CN235, among others, aircraft that are in service with the Armed Forces of Colombia. Once in the air, the boxes release their contents, creating a rain effect with great precision.
The material provided by the FAP arrived at the Military Transport Air Command (CATAM) in Bogotá yesterday. Before its delivery, “…FAC crews received instructions for the handling and use of the system from officers and non-commissioned officers of the Peruvian Air Force, through a briefing held at the Callao Air Base. In this way, missions to extinguish forest fires with this system will begin, maintaining a continuous effort that contributes to the preservation of the environment…“, detailed the Colombian Aerospace Force.
The past few weeks have been critical in Colombia due to the number of fire outbreaks, a situation that has required a considerable effort from the Security Forces and Armed Forces, with over 2,600 personnel deployed between both forces and 15 aircraft. There are also hundreds of firefighters and Civil Defense personnel. At the beginning of yesterday’s session, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management reported that there were still 17 active fires.
Cover image: Peruvian Air Force
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