Operational Integration Exercise

The OIE ran from July 16th until 18th with the 17th as the main exercise day and provided for differents scenarios such as COMAO (Composite Air Operation), DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) and CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue). The COMAO was the main scenario, Two COMAO missions were flown in reserved airspace over south Belgium and Germany, a Low and High COMAO. The purpose of the exercise was to improve and train tactical co-operation and skills in a multinational environment. Together with the Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, a complex scenario was set up, including all the elements of modern air operations. These included attacks on ground targets from low and medium altitudes, and aerial refueling provided by a marvellous Royal Air Force VC-10 from Brize Norton with had a anniversary marked tail. The DACT scenarios included mock fights of Portuguese F-16s versus RAF Typhoons and Czech Gripens versus Belgian F-16s and also an one on one fight between two Czech Gripens. The CSAR demonstration was held by three Czech L-159 ALCAs, two Belgian A-109 and one RAF Puma HC.1 helicopter.