A document of Turkish absurdity: There are firefighting aircraft, but no maintenance center

Masum Gök

Following extreme heat, forest fires have once again become a major item on the country's agenda. Many fires, both large and small, have occurred in various regions of the country. The most important task in combating forest fires belongs to the General Directorate of Forestry. The question that arises with every fire is, "Where are the firefighting aircraft?" 

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock İbrahim Yumaklı stated in a statement on May 9, "Together with reserve forces, 26 aircraft, 105 helicopters, 14 UAVs, 1,649 fire trucks and water supply vehicles, 2,453 first response vehicles, and 821 construction machines will form the basis of our fight against forest fires in 2024." 

The strange part of the matter was included in the text titled the 2024 performance program prepared by the General Directorate of Forestry. 

According to this report, the General Directorate of Forestry, which owns aircraft and helicopters, does not have a center where maintenance and repair work for these can be carried out. 

This report also aims to explain the aviation centers to be used in the fight against forest fires. The explanation in the report describes what these centers will do as follows: 

"Aviation centers established and operated on a continuous basis, where aircraft are permanently stationed, their supplies (fuel, water, and retardant) and maintenance and repair operations are carried out in the shortest possible time, in order to continue extinguishing activities without interruption."

According to the minister's statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock, which has 26 aircraft and 105 helicopters, has "0" aviation centers in 2024, and it is stated that an estimated "1" unit could be established in 2025. 

Here is that document: