In support of fire fighting operations carried out to assist in retarding the spread of a major forest fire which erupted in Mihintale, the SLAF, No. 7 helicopter Squadron stationed at SLAF Base Hingurakgoda deployed Bell 212 helicopter equipped with Bambi bucket at approximately 1500 hrs on 20th June 2013.

Using water from Mahakanadarawa Tank, the crew of Bell 212 helicopter battled the fire with the aid of its under slung ‘Bambi bucket’ flying 06 consecutive sorties and limited the spread of the raging flames. The SLAF was requested to assist by the Disaster Management Center.