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Large-Scale Combat Training for Helicopter Crews in Western Hungary

Hungary Today 2023.10.17.

The highest level of combat training for helicopter crews is taking place at the Hungarian Defense Forces’ 47th Air Base in Pápa (western Hungary). The exercise, based on the European Defense Agency’s (EDA) helicopter programs, involves soldiers from six nations, where EU helicopter instructors are selected and trained, reports Index.

The director of the exercise, called the Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC), said that the training consists of two phases: the four-week ground exercise was held in Portugal, while the three-week flying phase takes place in Pápa.

The objective of the exercise is to plan and execute complex air operations, and the soldiers will have to perform the tasks together with fighter aircraft and combat forces,

director of the training, Colonel Zsolt Simon, told journalists on Monday at the site. He stressed that during the training, participants are subjected to serious mental and physical stress, and are constantly monitored and evaluated by instructors.

Fact

The Helicopter Tactical Instructor Course (HTIC) is an advanced helicopter training activity designed to produce helicopter tactical instructors capable of teaching nationally standardized tactical procedures to promote the interoperability of European helicopter units, improve their readiness levels, and help them prepare for future operations. This is done regardless of the type of helicopter used. The program has been running in the UK and Sweden since 2013. As of 2021, the location has changed to No1 Airbase in Sintra (Portugal), where the ground and simulator phases of the course are delivered, and to Pápa Air Base (Hungary), where the flight phase is carried out.

Photo via honvedelem.hu/Kormány Gábor

During the three-week flight phase, they have to perform combat formation manoeuvres, fighter evasion, air defense, anti-jamming, convoy escort, and vehicle interception.

Six helicopter crews, including a Hungarian unit, are participating in the training.

In addition to the Hungarian participants, there are soldiers from the Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovakia, Germany, and Austria. The director also noted that Hungary will host the HTIC instructor training at least three more times between 2024 and 2026.

Fact

Pápa Air Base is a military airbase located near the town of Pápa. The building of the airport started in 1936. It is one of the three Hungarian-operated active military airports in the country, along with Szolnok and Kecskemét. Today it is the only active military airport in Western Hungary.

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Via Index, Featured image via honvedelem.hu/Kormány Gábor


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