Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force transport ship Kunisaki left the Kure base in Hiroshima on Sunday, carrying three CH-47 helicopters for a mission to help Indonesia fight forest and land fires.
The ship left at around 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 30 and is expected to reach Indonesia in one to two weeks, Japan’s Defense Ministry said.
The mission will be the first time Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have carried out firefighting operations overseas.
The three CH-47 helicopters from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will be used in aerial firefighting operations in Indonesia.
Around 600 Japanese personnel are expected to take part in the international emergency relief mission, according to the Defense Ministry.
Another ministry account of the deployment said around 350 Ground and Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel would operate on-site. The exact locations for the operation are still being decided.
Japan decided to send the Self-Defense Forces on Aug. 28 after Indonesia asked for help.
Fires spread across Sumatra and Kalimantan
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