Operating on the Coast, the Sierra and the Amazon Ecuador, the six helicopters H145 "Harpy" of the Ecuadorian Air Force add up to more than 7.000 flight hours carrying out critical aeromedical evacuation missions, flood assistance and firefighting (with the launch of some 30.000 liters of water only in 2025).
When Ecuadorian nature unleashes its fury, there is no refuge worth it. In the face of forest fires, extreme flooding or devastating landslides, The Airbus H145 “Arpías” helicopters of the Ecuadorian Air Force are deployed to the most inaccessible corners of the country to protect and save lives. Photos Airbus
From 2021, the combat squad 2113 of the Ecuadorian Air Force operates six versatile H145s, nicknamed "Harpies" in honor of the largest predatory bird of prey in South America. Major Andrés Ascazubi, squadron commander, highlights that its broad operational scope goes beyond combat rescue:
“Thanks to the versatility of the H145, We also carry out transport missions, recognition, medical evacuation, surveillance, external cargo transportation and crane rescue whenever required throughout the country.”
Captain Carlos Pacheco Morales describes this operational scope as “high operability, 24 hours of the day, 365 days of the year. We operate throughout the country, on all types of terrain and anywhere. we can reach, and indeed we have arrived, at the Coast, the Sierra and the Amazon«. This availability reached a milestone in May 2026: 7000 hours of operational flight recorded without any incident or accident in the country.
H145 operations: Firefighting and flood response
After the winter season, Ecuador faces extreme droughts that have caused massive forest fires in areas like Loja, Cuenca and even Quito. To fight the flames, the squadron uses H145s equipped with the system Bambi Bucket, that performs precision discharges up to 1200 liters of water per launch. «For me, The missions that have marked me the most have been those of firefighting, since we were able to help and save lives in four different provinces of the country«, tells Captain Héctor Ignacio Loayza Godoy. «Total, we download approximately 30 000 liters of water during the fire season 2025. They were long days of work, but with the H145, We accomplished the mission without any inconvenience.«.
Ease of reconfiguration, The aircraft's versatility and carrying capacity have also proven invaluable during floods, by expediting medical evacuations, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the supply of survival kits. «The technology of the H145 is unmatched: It is such a reliable helicopter that we are 100 % sure that we will get to the place where we are needed, at the exact time requested and complying with all safety standards«, adds Captain Pacheco Morales.
The Combat Squad 2113: the pride of feeling valued
Beyond the technology of its H145, the true driving force of the squad is its values. «Integrity and mutual trust are extremely important to our squad«, explains Major Andrés Ascazubi. «I am very proud of our pilots because, Although life among helicopters requires many sacrifices and we spend many days away from home, We return happy knowing that the people we serve are satisfied with our work«.
The commander explains that, by mitigating the impacts of flooding, extinguish fires and evacuate sick people in isolated areas, «The H145 helicopters in Ecuador have served to raise the image of the Air Force, since citizens do not see it as a weapon, but as a service to the population«. As Corporal Kevin Marfetán concludes: «When we rescue or help a person, the satisfaction of a duty fulfilled is immense; knowing that we contributed to saving a life is priceless«.
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