WROCLAW, Poland, Sept 20 (Askume) – Polish army helicopter pilots are using skills learned during preparations to fight the floods wreaking havoc in central Europe .
While many city residents’ belongings were scattered across the streets amid piles of dirt and other debris, other parts of Poland escaped the worst of the flooding thanks to the efforts of emergency services and volunteers.
Lt. Col. Piotr Chysig, commander of the Special Operations Air Force, said there are similarities between the combat skills training military pilots receive and the skills needed to carry out missions during floods.
“We have been trained in rescue flights, landing flights and heavy cargo transport… and those skills are being used in this case,” he said.
Helicopters are used to drop sandbags for flood control, to strengthen embankments, or to seal damaged embankments.
“We also conducted patrol flights to assess damage and potential threats,” Sechin said.
For Mi-17 helicopter pilot Slawomir Kalita, helping rescue people from floods is as important as any combat mission.
He said, “I am here to serve my country and my people, whether it is helping flood-affected areas or protecting my country, participating in international missions, the feelings are the same for me.”
