For the fifth time, Hungary is hosting a helicopter combat training exercise held under the professional guidance of the Multinational Helicopter Training Center at the Hungarian Defense Forces’ Airbase in Pápa (western Hungary), Honvedelem.hu reports.
The Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC) is the highest level component of the European Union’s Multinational Helicopter Training Center program.
The training can be considered the “Top Gun” of the field, during which future combat helicopter instructors from the armed forces of European Union Member States are selected and prepared.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
Photo: honvedelem.hu
The instructor training exercise consists of two phases:
- four-week ground phase in Portugal
- three-week flight phase at the Pápa military air base.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
This year, in addition to Hungary, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and New Zealand have delegated trainees to the course. Those who complete the training for the first time will become bronze-level rotary-wing combat pilots.
To obtain the silver level, they must participate in the HTIC again, but this time as instructors for first-year students.
If they prove themselves, they will have the opportunity to mentor instructors in their third year, which is a requirement for the gold level. The aim of this course system is to develop helicopter combat capabilities at both the state and federal levels.
Photo: honvedelem.hu
Participants are subjected to serious physical and mental demands throughout the training period and are constantly monitored and evaluated. During the flight phase, flight crews must perform various combat formation maneuvers, evade fighter aircraft, defend against air defense systems and radio-electronic jamming, escort convoys, and intercept vehicles. The highlight of the training is the planning and execution of a complex air operation in cooperation with combat aircraft and ground forces.
Via Honvedelem.hu, Featured image: Honvedelem.hu
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