Flooding and mudslides have caused catastrophic damage in several communities in East Tyrol. Following an assessment by the Tyrolean military command, Jäger Battalion 24 was put on “increased operational readiness” with 230 men. Following initial requests for assistance on October 30 by the Lienz district administration for the Obertilliach and Sillian area, reconnaissance detachments were deployed by Jäger Battalion 24.
As the command with territorial responsibility, the military command is leading the assistance mission in close cooperation with the Office of the Tyrolean Provincial Government and the local authorities. Around midday on October 30, three helicopters (1 S-70, 1 AB 212, 1 Al III) of the Austrian Armed Forces landed in Lienz to support the assistance operation of the Austrian Armed Forces from the air. The assistance forces from Lienz were deployed in Sillian and Arnbach to clear mud and debris from buildings and to clear blockages from underpasses.
The airborne forces supported the authorities with reconnaissance and transportation tasks, including restoring the power supply in the affected communities. In the morning hours of October 31, additional forces were deployed in the Galitzenklamm area and in the Amlach area to support the severely affected population. There are currently 136 soldiers and 3 helicopters on assistance duty in East Tyrol.
