which special groups worked
out the air tasking orders (ATOs).
For this, helicopter crews had
to be aware of the ‘four Ts’:
- T1, the task including
risk and capabilities - T2, the target; what does the
ground commander require from
you and in what timeframe? - T3, the threat
- T4, tactics
The Red Air threat was provided
by Portuguese F-16s, air defence
sites (SA-6, 7 and 8 surface-to-air
missile [SAM] emulators), rocket-
propelled grenades (RPGs) or
small arms. A new element was
also added, in which, a civilian
spotted a helicopter and used a
mobile phone to reveal its position.
GPS countermeasures – which
have seen considerable use in
the conflict in eastern Ukraine,
as well as in Syria – were another
addition. One way to defeat the
threat was to change course
or select a different route.
Avoiding danger requires
forward thinking. Aircrews had
to consider factors such as
improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) on the LZ or Red Air
use of jamming. Solutions
might include pathfinders
to locate a safe landing site
and Blue Air responding with
counter-jamming in turn.
When operating in a ‘threat band’,
tactical climbing procedures could
also be used. If the radar warning
receiver (RWR) indicated enemy
radar recognition, the helicopter
could make efforts to mask its
signature while exposing the
enemy radar to chaff. Flying an
unpredictable profile could also
help ward off Red Air threats.
Commitment
For some, reaching Portugal
was a challenge in itself. The
Hungarian Mi-17 contingent flew
1,800 miles (2,900km) and 14hrs
from Szolnok in central Hungary
to arrive at Beja. Once there,
they flew special operations
forces missions, including fast
roping and landing soldiers onto
water. This was Hungary’s third
Blade exercise, and the series is
considered valuable for improving
familiarisation with EDA standard
operating procedures and
interoperability with other nations.
Germany deployed six NH90s
and aimed to build up experience
with the helicopter. Many of those
in the German group had plenty of
experience on the UH-1D and they
were joined by several younger
crewmembers at the start of their
career trajectories. Goals included
achieving mission qualifications
for slung loads, and providing
practice for door gunners.
“Here we can train with our own
men in an EDA exercise using
standardised NATO and our own
procedures,” one German officer
said. “Standardisation makes
it all easier. Training in Portugal
offers possibilities we don’t have
in Germany. In general, we have
to accept we can only be at our
strongest when working together.”
This is also the case for Portugal.
The FAP’s EH101 unit – primarily
used for search and rescue
operations – is in the process of
learning tactical missions with
special forces. HB18 therefore
provided a steep learning curve
for both the EH101 crews and
special operations forces.Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Dirk Lange, Roel Cuppes,
Luis Nunez, the Portuguese Air
Force and the EDA in Brussels.Above: A Dutch CH-47 swoops down
below the treeline to pick up a recce
team. Note the door gunner in
position in the open cabin window.
Left: Lt Col João ‘Jedi’ Rośa, FAP, the
exercise commander.
Bottom: Special operations forces
boarding their transports – in this
case, Dutch AS532 Cougars from 300
Squadron ‘Wildcats’.
Below: The view from the flight
deck of a Hungarian ‘Hip’ as the
helicopter prepares to deliver a team
of paratroopers.http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #365 AUGUST 2018 // 97
AFM