Columbia Helicopters has announced the renewal of its aerial firefighting contract with CMC Savunma Sanayi A.S. in Turkey. This marks the fifth fire season in which Columbia has supported Turkey's national wildfire response, continuing its partnership with both CMC and the Turkish General Directorate of Forestry.
Under the terms of the agreement, Columbia will deploy four Columbia 234 Multi-Mission Chinook helicopters. Each helicopter will be equipped with a 2,600-gallon Bambi Bucket to facilitate the delivery of water and flame retardant. The helicopters will be operated by flight crews and maintenance personnel provided by Columbia for Turkey's 2025 fire season.
Columbia Helicopters President and CEO David Balevic stated, "We are grateful for our ongoing partnership with CMC. This multi-year collaboration reflects the trust we’ve built together and the consistent performance and reliability our teams deliver. As Turkey prepares for the upcoming fire season, we are honored to support national efforts to protect lives, forests and critical infrastructure."