Category: Fire Fighting

Jandakot’s new DFES Aviation Facility, expected to open by September next year, will bring WA’s Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service and Air Operations branches under one roof while supporting future growth in Department of Fire and Emergency Services aviation.

Following an unblemished record and nearly six months of service at Coulson Aviation, on 10 March 2025 Stewart Khouri was involved in a flight incident in which he damaged the helicopter that he was operating in efforts to tackle a bushfire at Canning Peak from the air.

RAAF Base Tindal’s No. 17 Squadron Fire Section dispatched two Airfield Panther fire trucks and two rural fire trucks to the scene within 15 minutes of receiving the distress call on 7 November, with crews assigned to protect two gas bullets and attack flames in mill and feed storage sheds.

The Black Hawks, based in Gingin and commencing operations on 20 December, are the second of two pairs that will operate around the state. They join a firefighting fleet of 38, which also includes the Large Air Tanker, based in Busselton, and other rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.