MINA: Saudi Arabian authorities are conducting surveillance flights by helicopter around the clock to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the Hajj.
Under the command of the Hajj Security Forces, Security Air Command, operating under the Presidency of State Security, in cooperation with the Royal Saudi Air Force, modern aircraft are deployed during this pilgrimage season to supervise the movement of pilgrims in Mecca and the surrounding holy sites of the site.
In an interview with the Interior Ministry’s Snapchat account, Col. Shaker bin Sulaiman Al-Tuwaijiri, deputy commander of the Hajj Security Forces’ aerial surveillance operation, said that the Hajj Security Forces were monitoring the movement of pilgrims from the sky day and night.
“The flights of the General Security Air Command and the Royal Saudi Air Force are carried out using top-class helicopters, the latest technologies and artificial intelligence,” he said, adding that the staff members are highly qualified due to their accumulated experience.
Saudi Arabian authorities conduct helicopter surveillance flights around the clock to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the Hajj. (Ministry of the Interior)
According to the Saudi Press Agency, patrols are crucial to monitoring the density of pilgrim crowds as they ensure the quick identification and removal of potential disruptions and threats.
The mission is tightly integrated with the Hajj Command and Control Center, which receives live video and images for rapid analysis and rapid response on the ground.
This information helps ground staff manage the movement of vehicles and pilgrims between locations.
Some security helicopters, such as the S-92, are equipped with 270-foot rescue winches, infrared and laser wave thermal cameras, and a payload hook capable of lifting more than 4.5 tons.
The helicopter also has medical rescue and care equipment that can be installed inside the cabin if necessary. The seats in the passenger cabin can be configured for evacuation purposes.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs website, the S-92 is equipped with an autopilot system and flight management and planning controls.