On 16 June 2026, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from our fleet participated in a joint interoperability training exercise at the Brno Reservoir in the Czech Republic. The exercise took place just one day after the successful commencement of our Aerial Firefighting Standby Service for the Czech Republic as part of this year’s wildfire season. Its primary objective was to evaluate the coordination between aerial and ground firefighting resources during wildfire suppression operations. In addition to our flight crews, the exercise also involved a Bell 412 helicopter operated by the Air Service of the Police of the Czech Republic and a Mi-171 helicopter from the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic.
Following the initial joint briefing, all participating crews were introduced to a simulated operational scenario replicating a response to a large-scale wildfire in a natural environment. The exercise focused on validating coordination between air and ground assets, communication via aviation and firefighting radio frequencies, and the effective command and control of operations within the incident area.
Throughout the exercise, helicopter crews repeatedly performed water pickups directly from the reservoir as well as from mobile FireFlex water tanks. In addition, water supply through fire hose nozzles was used to fill the Bambi Buckets, allowing crews to practice multiple water replenishment methods commonly employed during real aerial firefighting operations. Subsequent water drops on designated targets and simulated suppression missions were conducted under conditions closely resembling real-world operations, including ground-based coordination and helicopter guidance to the drop zone.
The exercise also included the evaluation of a new, simplified mapping and navigation system based on a grid-sector concept. This system is intended to improve situational awareness, enable faster orientation within the incident area, and provide more accurate navigation to individual sectors of the wildfire.
Regular joint training exercises are an essential part of preparations for the ongoing wildfire season, helping to enhance the operational readiness of all participating agencies in responding to emergency incidents. Participation in these exercises, together with the provision of aerial firefighting standby services across various European countries, further reinforces HELI COMPANY’s position as a reliable partner in protecting lives, property, and the natural environment from the devastating effects of large-scale wildfires.
Photo: Patrik Horčičiak
