Squadron 551 – “Panteras” concluded its first participation in an international detachment on Friday, 24 October, after two weeks of joint training with the Austrian Air Force at Tulln Air Base between 13 and 24 October. 

Throughout the mission, 61 flight hours were logged, of which 31 hours corresponded to training with Portuguese UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, 12 hours to training with Austrian Black Hawk helicopters with Portuguese crews on board, and 18 hours to projection and retraction movements.

During the two weeks of participation, it was possible to carry out rural firefighting training, mountain flight operations and suspended load flights. This joint operation made it possible to strengthen skills and share experiences, as well as techniques, tactics and procedures, contributing to a better adaptation to the national context.

The detachment consisted of two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 26 military personnel, who operated from Austria.

This exercise is particularly important for the Air Force as it is the first training of this type in the operational readiness process for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, which will be integrated into future rural firefighting operations, a capability currently being developed by the Air Force.