**Executive Summary**
From May 26, 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted intensive aerial firefighting operations to combat a massive forest fire in the Kasauli region of Himachal Pradesh. Utilizing Mi-17 V5 helicopters, the IAF discharged over 93,000 litres of water to protect residential areas and critical infrastructure. The operation was notable for the first-ever successful use of Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for night firefighting in mountainous terrain.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Operational Scope and Deployment**
* The operation commenced on May 26, 2026, with an initial assessment by a Cheetah helicopter followed by the deployment of Mi-17 V5 Medium Lift Helicopters.
* The fire affected approximately 10 hectares in the Kasauli Beat area of Solan district, threatening military establishments and civil infrastructure.
* Aerial efforts were conducted under the "aid to civil authorities" framework.
**Logistics and Execution**
* IAF helicopters utilized Bambi Buckets, sourcing water from Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.
* Each helicopter sortie carried approximately 2,000 to 2,500 litres of water.
* More than 93,000 litres of water were discharged over the affected area during round-the-clock operations.
**Technical Milestones**
* The IAF successfully performed its first night Bambi Bucket operations using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs).
* Missions were executed in challenging mountainous terrain with limited visibility, requiring high operational precision.
**Inter-agency Coordination**
* The IAF operated in close coordination with the State Administration, State Forest Department, Indian Army, and local authorities.
* Ground personnel provided continuous support, ensuring rapid aircraft servicing and turnaround despite extreme weather conditions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Air Force (IAF) Aircrew and Ground Personnel**
**Impact**
Aircrew successfully demonstrated advanced operational capabilities by conducting high-risk night missions in mountainous terrain. Ground personnel maintained high-tempo operations through rapid servicing.
**Action Required**
Executed specialized flying techniques using NVGs and maintained 24/7 aircraft readiness to ensure uninterrupted sorties.
**Local Residents and Civil Infrastructure**
**Impact**
The swift response prevented the fire from escalating into a major disaster, safeguarding homes and critical infrastructure in the Solan district.
**Action Required**
Rely on the coordinated efforts of the IAF and state authorities for containment and disaster mitigation.
**State Administration and Forest Department**
**Impact**
These bodies provided the necessary framework and local expertise to guide aerial operations effectively.
**Action Required**
Maintain active coordination with the IAF and Indian Army to manage resources and identify fire-hit zones for water drops.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Air Force: The primary military wing responsible for conducting the round-the-clock aerial firefighting operations to combat the forest fire.
Aid to civil authorities framework: The operational framework under which the Indian Air Force was deployed to assist the state administration and local authorities in disaster response.
Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh: The central location of the forest fire within the Solan district where aerial operations were focused to protect civil and military infrastructure.
Bambi Bucket operations: The specialized aerial firefighting initiative employed by helicopters to discharge large volumes of water over affected forest areas.
Ministry of Defence: The central ministry responsible for overseeing the deployment of the Indian Air Force and coordinating between military and civil agencies.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN AIR FORCE CONDUCTS ROUND-THE-
CLOCK AERIAL FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS IN
KASAULI
Posted On: 30 MAY 2026 1:27PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Air Force received information about Forest fire near Kasauli on 26 th May and a Cheetah
helicopter was immediately launched to assess the situation. Thereafter, Mi-17 V5 Medium Lift
Helicopters were successfully deployed to combat the massive forest fire in the Kasauli region of
Himachal Pradesh under the aid to civil authorities framework.
The intense blaze, which spread across nearly 10 hectares in the Kasauli Beat area of Solan district, posed
a serious threat to residential areas, critical civil infrastructure and military establishments.
Operating in close coordination with the State Administration, State Forest Department, Indian Army and
local authorities, IAF helicopters undertook sustained Bambi Bucket operations to contain and extinguish
the fire. Water was sourced from Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh with each sortie carrying approximately
2,000 to 2,500 litres of water.
The operation witnessed relentless aerial firefighting efforts through day and night, discharging more than
93,000 litres of water over the affected area. The swift and coordinated response played a crucial role in
preventing the fire from escalating into a major disaster.
In a first for the Indian Air Force, night Bambi Bucket operations were successfully undertaken using
Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). Conducted in mountainous terrain under challenging visibility conditions,
the missions demanded exceptional flying skill, precision and operational expertise. Despite the inherent
risks associated with night firefighting operations, the missions were executed safely and effectively
through the professionalism, courage and dedication of the aircrew.
Supporting the aerial operations, ground personnel worked tirelessly in extreme weather conditions to
ensure rapid aircraft servicing and turnaround, enabling uninterrupted firefighting missions round the
clock.
Indian Airforce with active assistance from the Army and the State administration
played major role in extinguishing Kasauli Forest Fire.
Mi-17 V5 using Bambi Bucket were pressed into action on 26th May 2026 to
airdrop water over areas affected by fire. The operations was… pic.twitter.com/H
UcEpKRM1r
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 30, 2026***
JS/VK/GK
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