EDDAH: A total of 15 modern surveillance helicopters are to be deployed over Makkah and the holy sites for the safety and security of this year's Haj pilgrims, according to Major General Muhammad Al-Harbi, Commander of Aviation at the General Directorate of Civil Defense in Riyadh. Al-Harbi said the copters are linked directly to a sophisticated operation room to ensure feedback on any incidents. In an interview, Al-Harbi said the Ministry of Interior has increased the number of pilots, technicians and air personnel for this year's Haj. There will be 247 officers and non–commissioned officers. He said the Civil Defense's copters have been fitted with advanced medical facilities to provide sophisticated treatment when evacuating injured pilgrims. This is the first time such medical facilities have been secured for the Haj. He said the copters are equipped with ventilators and incubators for newborn babies and babies up to one year of age. One of the functions of the copters would be to monitor the movement of the multi-billion riyal train linking the holy sites. Helicopter landing pads have been built at the Jissr Al-Jamarat. The copters will carry out surveillance sorties to monitor the movement and flow of pilgrims at the holy sites. This is to provide security and aid in rescue and firefighting operations. “The copters will also monitor the traffic flow and provide support services to government agencies involved in Haj services,” he said. The copters are distinguished for their small size, speed and ability to fly at low and high altitudes. The copters are also equipped with sensitive vision equipment. Pilots have the special equipment fixed over their eyes to help pinpoint their targets and tasks. “I would like to assure all pilgrims that the Civil Defense fleet monitors the skies at the holy shrines around the clock to ensure their safety and to deal with any emergency,” Al-Harbi said. He said the fleet will also monitor the train stations. The pilots have already conducted mock drills to deal with any emergency at these stations. He said the pilots have also been trained to handle heavy rainfall during Haj, as they did successfully during last year's flood disaster in Jeddah.
