Exercise Thracian Blade 2026

This multinational exercise was conducted under the leadership of the Bulgarian Air Force and the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC), Portugal. The exercise was hosted by 24th Air Base Plovdiv-Krumovo and officially the exercise began on 4 June 2026 with an opening ceremony and ended on 18 June 2026.

The exercise aim is to enhance planning and execution skills for conducting Composite Air Operations (COMAO) in support of land forces and special operation units, as well as to improve interoperability among military transport helicopter crews within multinational forces in an environment with active opposition from simulated enemy air defense systems and to strengthen operational interoperability.

The exercise featured a range of training missions, including flights at extremely low altitudes. It’s the first time that Bulgaria is hosting the Thracian Blade exercise.

Participating from the Bulgarian side were the Land Forces, Joint Special Operations Command, Logistics Support Command, Military Police Service and the Military Medical Academy. Observers from the armed forces of Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Greece, Hungary, New Zealand and Slovenia also attended the exercise.

The flying participants for exercise Thracian Blade 2026 were:

Commander of the 24th Air Base, Brigadier General Dimitar Pavlov said to the participating nations “Over the coming weeks, our shared objective is clear, to strengthen interoperability, improve the effectiveness of our operations, and enhance our capabilities for planning, coordinating, and conducting complex joint missions in a multinational environment”.

Exercise director, Colonel Peyo Donchev said “The Bulgarian Air Force highly values the trust placed in it by the MHTC and the opportunity to host Thracian Blade 2026, one of Europe’s largest multinational helicopter crew training exercises.  I have confidence that all participants would make full use of their capabilities and thanks to all the teams involved in the preparation of the exercise for their professionalism and dedication.”

Deputy commander of the MHTC, Lieutenant Colonel Zoltan Szili said “Speaking on behalf of the MHTC leadership, Bulgaria’s role as host extends far beyond providing airspace and personnel. It’s a major effort and a demonstration of the Bulgarian Armed Forces’ capabilities in planning, organizing, providing logistical support, and facilitating such a large-scale multinational exercise”.

Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC)

The Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC) has been established by the European Defense Agency (EDA) with the support of 14 European Countries being Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden and Slovenia. The MHTC is located at Sintra Air Base, Portugal. Before the MHTC there was a joint helicopter training program under the EDA. On 1 January 2024 the MHTC reached its Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

The MHTC has an international staff currently consisting of Dutch, German, Hungarian, Portuguese and Swedish, with a Hungarian Deputy Commander, who are working to further develop and modernize the programs launched by EDA.

The purpose of the MHTC is to provide high-level helicopter training for European Countries and foster the interoperability of helicopters and the preparedness level of helicopter crews in various operational environments. The Centre is equipped with cutting-edge simulation, classroom capabilities and new training facilities.

The MHTC is in charge or organizing “Blade” (Hot Blade, Cold Blade, High Blade, Thracian Blade, etc.) exercises within the Helicopter Exercise Program (HEP), Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC), Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course (HTIC), and symposiums, on which the participants learn the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) of modern warfare and operations covering all aspects of helicopter crew skills.

Media day Thracian Blade 2026

A capability demonstration day took place at former Bulgarian Air Force base Chesnegirovo. Chesnegirovo Air Base was built in 1951 and became home of the 25 Fighter Bomber Air Regiment and operated the MiG-17 and later, in 1976, the MiG-23. After the withdrawal of the MiG-23s, the base was closed in 2000 but is still in use by the Special Forces from time to time. During Exercise Thracian Blade 2026 multiple exercises were executed at Chesnigirovo, including the day of the media day.

The demonstration began when two “enemies” were entering the airspace above the area, two MiG-29s were pursued by a pair of recently delivered F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft. The F-16s forced the MiG-29s to withdraw from the area of operations aimed at regaining control of an airport seized by opposing forces. A pair of Su-25 aircraft simulated strikes against enemy positions using their onboard weaponry. A pair of L-39s gave tactical air support for the multinational transport helicopters during high-risk insertion and medical evacuations (MedEvac). A C-27 Spartan transport aircraft conducted a parachute cargo drop from an altitude of maximum 300 meters, the drop zone was secured from the air.

An OH-58 Kiowa Helicopter from the Austrian Air Force and a Mi-35 helicopter from the Serbian Air Force carried out an aerial surveillance and perimeter security mission so Transport helicopters from the Bulgarian, Austrian, Slovak and Serbian Air Forces could release Special Forces by fast roping. The Special Forces conquered the area and after the battle a medical evacuation (MedEvac) of a “wounded” servicemember was necessary. A AS532 Cougar was the rescue helicopter which landed briefly to allow rescuers to load the casualty and depart the danger zone as quickly as possible, while a second armed Cougar helicopter provided cover. After the demonstration all helicopters landed at Chesnigirovo and Bulgarian Air Force commander, Major General Nikolay Rusev, presented commemorative plaques to the commanders of the foreign contingents participating in the exercise Thracian Blade.

The authors of Lowpass Aviation.com would like to thank the personnel of the Bulgarian Air Force and other participating Air Forces for their hospitality and help during our visit at Chesnigirovo Air Base!