Exercise Italian Blade

From 22 June to 3 July 2015, Italian Blade 2015, the 8th helicopter exercise supported by the European Defence Agency under the umbrella of the Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP) took place in Viterbo, Italy.

Besides the focus on flying in demanding environmental conditions, the exercise was developed to implement “Joint Interoperability Training” and efforts were made to maximise integration of joint interoperability tasks, including Air Assault (AA), Special Operations Aviation (SOA), Combat Service Support (CSS), Close Air Support (CAS) including Urban CAS and Emergency CAS, Convoy/helicopter escorts, Reconnaissance and Security (R&S) operations, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Personnel Recovery (PR), Military/Non Military extractions (NEO Ops), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC).

IB15 participants included Austria with four AB212 helicopters. Also sending four light helicopters was Belgium with the A109BA. Hungary and Slovenia each participated with a single medium transport helicopter, Mi-17 ‘Hip’ and AS532AL Cougar respectively. In addition to four NH90 TTHs, four UH-1D ‘Hueys’, a single CH-53GA, Germany also took part with airborne troops. Attack helicopters included three Mi-24V ‘Hinds’ deployed by the Czech Republic, in addition to the Italian A129CBT/A129D Mangustas. The Aviazione dell’Esercito participated with one of the new ICH-47F Chinooks in addition to one older CH-47C Chinook, several NH90 TTH as well as the lighter AB212 and AB412 helicopters. The Italian Navy also took part with the EH101 Assault Support Helicopter.