Croatian Firefighting Squadron Returns After France Wildfire Mission

Croatian fire‑fighting squadron France wildfires RescEU mission Ivan Dukić Ivan Anušić

Croatian Air Force pilots from the 855th Firefighting Squadron (93rd Wing) completed a joint firefighting operation in France from 24 July to 2 August 2026. The unit helped combat massive wildfires in the Bordeaux area, Salernes, Biscarrosse and east of Marseille, including a blaze that burned about 42 000 ha – roughly four times the size of Paris.

During the mission the squadron logged 225 flights, 51 hours 40 minutes of flight time and dropped 1 224 tonnes of water. The operation was carried out under the EU civil‑protection mechanism RescEU, at the request of the French Republic and with approval from the Croatian government and defence ministry. Pilot Ivan Dukić described the fire as “astonishing” to witness and said it was an honour to work with French colleagues. Defence minister Ivan Anušić praised the crew, calling them part of a world‑class elite and highlighting Croatia’s readiness to assist in severe emergencies abroad.

Entities

855th Firefighting Squadron (Croatian Air Force) · Croatian Air Force · France · French Republic · Ivan Anušić · Ivan Dukić · RescEU · Zemunik

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] After the operation, the pilots returned to the “Pukovnik Marko Živković” base in Zemunik. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[DISPUTED] They dropped 1 224 tonnes of water. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The pilots operated over Bordeaux, Salernes, Biscarrosse and east of Marseille. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] They flew 225 sorties, totaling 51 hours 40 minutes of flight time. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The mission was conducted at the request of the French Republic and under the Croatian government's decision, using the RescEU civil‑protection mechanism. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The fires burned about 42 000 hectares, four times the size of Paris. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Captain Ivan Dukić said the fire was shocking and it was hard to watch the burned houses, industrial sites and vineyards. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] Croatian military pilots from the 855th fire‑fighting squadron were deployed to France from 24 July to 2 August 2026. www.tportal.hr · www.dalmacijanews.hr