9th EDA Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course

Recently I had the privilege of organising and leading the culmination of an Era as EDA Chief Instructor. After 7 demanding weeks, the 9th EDA Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course was successfully completed on friday October 20th, 2023.

HTIC 2023 brought together helicopter tacticians from 8 different countries (in 3 different syllabi), setting a new standard for international cooperation in skill development and operational preparedness. I would like to warmly congratulate all graduates on their success

The course focused on best practice and on procedures (partly generic) according to our EDA HEP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). 6 different types of helicopters with a wide variety of equipment took part in this year's course, some of them are designed as generic procedures with the possibility of precisely developing the specific and typerelated procedures on a national basis. Participants were exposed to complex scenarios that demanded quick thinking, prioritization, and effective decision-making abilities.

For 3 weeks, the participants were taught in a wide variety of areas by our qualified instructors and prepared for the upcoming simulator training. After a successful written exam, the simulator training phase served the participants to prepare themself for the challenging practical flying training. A lot is demanded of the participants as part of the flying training. Often 2 challenging flights per day which must be prepared down to the last detail, always with the knowledge in the background, that preparation, briefing, the actual flight of the sortie itself and a honest debriefing are always evaluated and are crucial for the success of the course.

Through rigorous simulations and real-world case studies, participants learned to analyse mission objectives, assess risks, and develop strategies to accomplish their goals. This emphasises the importance of standardisation, situational awareness, communication, and teamwork in making sound tactical decisions. Here, participants had the unique opportunity to share their experiences, best practices, and lessons learned from their respective nations' military operations. Following our Training Syllabus of Flying, utilising the procedures of the EDA HEP SOP the participants developed a deep understanding of each other's operational methods, fostering a culture of mutual respect and unity.

Conclusion:

The 9th EDA Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course marked the end of a remarkable 10-year era in helicopter tactics training. Through its three diverse syllabi, the course successfully equipped participants with advanced tactical skills, decision-making process, and fostered a spirit of international cooperation. The graduates of this course are now poised to contribute significantly to their respective armed forces, spreading their expertise and enhancing operational capabilities within their airforces.

As we bid farewell to this era, it is my firm belief that the 9th EDA Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course has set a new benchmark for excellence in training programs - the new installation of the Multinational Helicopter Training Centre (MHTC), as follow-on Training Organisation can now build on what has been achieved so far for future training.

The success of this course serves as a testament to the power of collaboration, coordination, and shared expertise in preparing military personnel for the complex challenges of the future. I extend my congratulations to all the instructors and participants who made this course truly exceptional and look forward to witnessing the impact of their newfound knowledge and skills in the defence landscape.

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