The Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Mi-17 V5 helicopters are being used for conducting high-stakes aerial firefighting operations across two wildfire-hit locations in India’s Northeast, deploying heavy-lift helicopters to combat blazes in difficult terrain and extreme flying conditions.The operations are underway in Walong in Arunachal Pradesh and the Dzukou Valley in Nagaland, where IAF crews are carrying out continuous water-dropping missions to contain and extinguish fires amid steep slopes, poor visibility and rarefied air.At Walong, IAF helicopters have successfully extinguished a major blaze after dropping a total of 139,800 litres of water over the affected area. Simultaneously, firefighting efforts continue in the Dzukou Valley, where Mi-17 V5 helicopters are drawing water from Padumpokhiri Lake near Dimapur to tackle fires near Japfu Peak.Video shared by the Indian Air Force shows helicopters flying low over the affected areas and releasing water directly onto the flames, offering a cockpit-view perspective of the operation.“Indian Air Force helicopters are battling wildfires at two fronts, conducting relentless aerial firefighting missions in challenging terrain. At Walong, Arunachal Pradesh, a total of 139,800 litres of water has been dropped, successfully extinguishing the blaze,” the post said.“Simultaneously, operations continue over Dzukou Valley in Nagaland with Mi-17 V5 helicopters drawing water from Padumpokhiri Lake (Dimapur) to battle fires near Japfu Peak amid steep slopes, poor visibility and rarefied air,” it added.Officials said the missions are being carried out under challenging operational conditions, with pilots navigating difficult terrain and limited visibility while maintaining precision during aerial water drops.

Mi-17 V5 to the rescue

he Mi-17 V5 helicopters involved in the firefighting operations are part of the IAF’s 109 Helicopter Unit of the Southern Air Command, popularly known as the “Knights Helicopter Unit,” which has frequently been deployed for disaster relief and rescue missions.The unit was previously deployed to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu following a severe cyclone, where it transported essential relief supplies including food, water and medicines to affected communities.The helicopters carried out nearly 100 missions over a period of ten days during the operation, significantly contributing to humanitarian relief efforts, according to defence sources cited by All India Radio.