Hot Blade 2014, the seventh EDA helicopter exercise, will take place in Ovar Portugal from 16 to 30 July 2014.
The exercise will bring together around 670 helicopter personnel from six countries, as well as over 2,000 ground forces from Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal. 22 helicopters will be used in the exercises, alongside four fast jets, and three transport aircraft. HB14 will be designed to allow European helicopter crews to practice operations in a hot, high and dusty environment, simulating the challenge and the dynamic conditions that participant forces will encounter when they deploy to a current Theatre of Operation.
Part of a Comprehensive Approach for Helicopters
The exercise forms part of a Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), aimed at enhancing the operating skills of helicopter crews across Europe in order to increase the deployable helicopter capability for contingent operations. EDA coordinates other helicopter training programmes closely linked with HEP, including HTC (Helicopter Tactics Course), HTIC (Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course), OELC (Operational English Language Course), DisSim CCD (Distributed Simulation Capability Concept Demonstrator) and the Basic Helicopter Flying Training (BHFT) projects/programmes.
A distinguished visitors day will be held on July 24.
Participating Aircraft and Personnel by Country
- Austria: 4 x AB 212, 2 x PC 6, and 50 personnel
- Belgium: 4 x A 109, and 40 personnel
- Germany: 4 + 2 x UH-1D, and 100 personnel
- Netherlands: 3 + 1 CH-47 Chinook, and 180 personnel
- Portugal: 2 x EH-101, 4 x F16, 1 x C295, 1 x P3C, and 250 personnel
- UK: 2 x Puma MK2, and 50 personnel
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