Participating nations: Belgium, Slovenia, Austria & Italy 14 Helicopters in total.
Exercise BLACK BLADE 2016 (BB16) is the 10th Multinational Helicopter Exercise of the HEP. The exercise BB16 is scheduled to be held in the Helicopter Training Areas North and South in Belgium from 14 November till 2 December 2016. The main focus of this exercise is to enhance interoperability at the tactical level between helicopter units by using the COMAO concept in a combined, joint, realistic and challenging environment. The primary focus will be put on Special Operations (SOF), such as Direct Action, Special Reconnaissance and night flight amongst others. It will be an opportunity for different helicopter operators to train and compare the aviation SOF tactics, technics and procedures. Insertion, extraction, resupply and Personnel Recovery missions during day and night circumstances will be executed. The secondary objectives of BB16 are: • MEDEVAC missions. • Special helicopter exercises, like underslung operations and fast roping. • CCA missions. • Shooting or sniping operations. • FARP training. • Nap of the Earth flying. BB16 will be an excellent opportunity for participating crews to plan and fly SOF missions. Exercise areas are also offering a possibility to flight crews to have Nap of the Earth, NVG and conventional mission (e.g. Airmobile, MEDEVAC) training in order to meet the secondary and national training objectives of the different participating nations. BB16 is designed to provide European helicopter crews the opportunity to practice multinational formation and training with Belgium SOF units. Furthermore BB16 promotes EDA cMS interoperability and enhances the skills of Helicopter crews in using Standard Operating Procedures in the conduct of flight planning and operations.