IT CALL 2011: VIP Day on 6 June

Italy hosts a Multinational Helicopter Exercise from 23 May to 12 June 2011, as part of the European Defence Agency's Helicopter Training Programme (HTP). IT CALL 2011 follows two past successful exercises: GAP 2009 and AZOR 2010.

The European Helicopter Training Programme was approved by Ministers of Defence in November 2009 to increase in the short-term the availability of helicopters for crisis management operations. The Programme started in 2010 and consists of two live exercises per year - one focusing on individual training and one on interoperability and operational tactics. An annual symposium takes stock of lessons learned from operations and further shapes the development of additional exercises.

IT CALL 2011 practices the missions and procedures that might be required on future operations. The exercise gathers around 300 people and 31 helicopters. Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and Slovenia are sending aircraft and crews, with Lithuania and Greece sending observers:

Austria: 30 people and 3 AB212 helicopters.
Belgium: 30 people and 3 A109 helicopters.
Czech Republic: 68 people and 3 Mi-171, 2 Mi24 helicopters.
Germany: 22 people and 3 CH53 helicopters.
Italy: 120 people and 4 A129, 2 AB 412, 2 EH 101 (MM), 2 CH47, 3 NH90, 1 Do 228, 1 SH3D (MM) helicopters.
Slovenia: 20 people and 2 COUGAR helicopters.

On 6 June, the Italian authorities and EDA organise a VIP & Press day at Monteromano fire range. EDA will be represented by Mr. Adam Sowa, EDA’s Deputy Chief Executive, and by Jon Mullin, Capability Director. During this training event, all participating Member States flight units will demonstrate their combat capabilities and interoperability level reached.

Press is invited to contact raquel.patricio-gomes@eda.europa.eu.