Armed Forces increase mobility and maneuvering capacity from Nueva Loja.
The Ecuadorian Army inaugurated in Lago Agrio, Sucumbíos, the construction of the first heliport that will serve to carry out military air operations in the border area with Colombia.
The infrastructure is located inside the 53rd Rayo Special Forces Group military unit, stationed in the city of Nueva Loja, capital of the border province of Sucumbíos.
General Staff Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Ochoa, commander of this military division, pointed out that the heliport guarantees operational security, transportation, supply, aeromedical evacuations and troop transport for surveillance and protection operations of the international political boundary.
The heliport has an asphalt runway of 2,927 square meters, with the respective lighting and signage.
“This heliport has all the necessary standards to operate within national and international standards, and it becomes a deployment point of great importance for tactical military operations on the northern border,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ochoa.
The heliport has runway lighting as required by the technical standard, for operations during the day and at night, allowing the landing of one of the emblematic helicopters of the Armed Forces, the MI 171, with capacity to transport 32 passengers and 4 thousand kilograms of load.
The Ecuadorian Army will increase the mobility and maneuvering capacity of military operations in the border area, added Commander Ochoa.
The work was built through direct administration by the Provincial Government of Sucumbíos with an investment of approximately 73 thousand dollars.
“Some will say that it is a small work, but for those who are going to use it and for the service that it will give to the province, it is of great importance,” said the prefect of Sucumbíos, Amado Chávez.
The provincial authority added that it will continue to support military and police units that need to improve their operational technical infrastructure in the province. (I)
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