The COMposite Air Operations (COMAO) Planning Course is a 2-week course and takes place at Sintra Air Base Nº1, Portugal.
The aim of the COMAO Planning Course is to provide selected European helicopter aircrew and support personnel with an in-depth look at the academics required for COMAO planning, a good understanding of complex rotary wing tactics and relevant experience in planning and briefing complex COMAO missions. By the end of the course, trainees should understand the roles required for COMAO planning, the “4Ts process” and the ability to deliver professional and well briefed products. Additionally, trainees will have an understanding of interoperability requirements and knowledge of the capabilities of a wide range of supporting and supported assets.
The COMAO planning course was developed in response to a perceived reduction in the ability to conduct complex mission planning. This was derived from observations made on the EDA Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course (HTIC), the BLADE Exercises and other national or international training activities.
Therefore, this course is recommended for future participants of the Helicopter Tactics Instructors Course or those involved in the planning or participating in future Blade exercises as well as respective personnel which is assigned as Mission Planner in their respective Headquarters.
This course is delivered by the EDA Rotary Wing (RW) Chief Instructor (CI), HTIs (from the participating nations) and subject matter experts from our contractor, with broad experience of COMAO planning and execution.
Over a 2-week period, the course will cover helicopter tactics and the 4Ts planning process, which will be applied in various missions, and will include COMAO planning and briefing in the context of an evolving scenario. The final day will be used for a hot wash-up.
