As part of the European Defence Agency's Helicopter Training Programme (HTP), Spain will host a Multinational Helicopter Exercise in June 2010. The Exercise is the largest of its kind so far, with 40 helicopters and 735 people attending from 9 nations and yet takes place less than a year after the Ministerial endorsement of the HTP concept. The Exercise will take place at the Spanish Army aviation base at Agoncillo, near Logroño, and is designed to allow European helicopter crews to practice the techniques of flying in a hot, high and dusty environment - the same conditions that many of the participants will encounter when they deploy on current operations over the next year. In order to ensure the widest participation, and as part of their support of the Multinational Helicopter Initiative, Luxembourg has kindly agreed to meet the costs of participation. The organisation of the Exercise, the management of life support and the use of the ranges have all been provided by the hosts, Spain. The planned participants are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden, UK and the hosts, Spain. The exercise will run for three weeks, commencing on 9 June 2010, and there will be a VIP/Press Day on 17 June. The planning of further exercises in the Programme is already underway. Press: Brussels-based & and foreign press is requested to contact raquel.patricio-gomes@eda.europa.eu. Spain-based press is requested to address the Ministerio de la Defensa, who hosts the Exercise. --- ENDS --