Croatian Pilots After Hell in France
Members of the 855th Firefighting Squadron returned to Zemunik after nine days of battling catastrophic wildfires in southern France.
Members of the 855th Firefighting Squadron returned to Zemunik after nine days of battling catastrophic wildfires in southern France.
Members of the 855th Firefighting Squadron of the 93rd Wing of the Croatian Air Force returned on Monday, August 3, 2026, to the "Pukovnik Marko Živković" barracks in Zemunik. Behind them is a nine-day mission to extinguish wildfires of catastrophic proportions in the French Republic, where from July 24 to August 2, 2026, they faced a firestorm that engulfed an area four times the size of Paris.
Captain of the Canadair CL-415 crew, Major Ivan Dukić, did not hide his impressions of the scale of the fires they fought. "Every mission brings certain challenges, and this one was particularly demanding. It was staggering to see the fire west of Bordeaux, we're talking about 42,000 hectares of burned area, which is four times the size of the city of Paris," Major Dukić stated for the National Portal.
He added that it was extremely difficult to witness the aftermath on the ground. "It was hard to see burned houses, damaged industrial facilities, and devastated vineyards," he said. The Croatian pilots and technicians were not just witnesses to the destruction but also key players in stopping it at multiple locations.
During their time in France, the Croatian team completed a total of 225 flights, accumulating 51 hours and 40 minutes of flight time. During that period, they dropped 1,224 tons of water from the air, extinguishing flames in the areas of Bordeaux, Salernes, Biscarrosse, and east of Marseille. Alongside their French colleagues, the squadron members worked tirelessly to protect lives and property.
Major Dukić emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the pride he feels in providing assistance. "Working with French colleagues, exchanging knowledge and experience, and the great honor of helping the Republic of Croatia and us as a team, as a group, as a squadron, just as we provide support and protect the Republic of Croatia every summer," he highlighted.
The engagement of Croatian forces was carried out within the framework of the European Civil Protection Mechanism RescEU, at the request of the French Republic. The decision to send aid was made by the Croatian Government, with prior consent from the President of the Republic and an order from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
With their experience, knowledge, and skills, members of the Croatian Air Force made a valuable contribution to firefighting and protecting people, once again confirming the reputation of Croatian firefighting forces on the international stage.
