The two NH90 Belgian helicopters arrived in Gao at Bamako airport early last week and became operational in two days. A special coating was applied to the blades of the helicopters before they left for Mali, to counter the climate conditions where a sandy terrain was dominant which creates large clouds of dust (created by the rotor downwash) reduces visibility to zero. To further protect the engines, additional sand filters and an anti-FOD (foreign object damage) grille have also been installed. The helicopters will be used in medical evacuation operations.