In total, 39 door gunners from Czech Republic, Croatia and Hungary graduated from four courses performed in 2017. The aim of unifying and instructing English terminology used by airborne gunners within NATO air crews has been fully achieved. During the theoretical lessons, practical exercises and simulated tactical missions, the DGs were put in various situations where the individual student has to speak English and cannot rely on a stronger speaker. According to observations of the British instructors, all students graduated from the course with a very high level of Operational English, being competent in the use of all commonly used NATO forms used in Coalition operations.

Based on the continuos requirement for DG training, MATC member states agreed to continue with OELC in 2018, with the extension to the Flight Engineers (FE), who can attend the course together with the DGs. The course syllabi will be slightly expanded to absorb FE operational language training requirements. Four courses OELC-DG/FE are planned in 2018, three of those will be basic ones and fourth is intended to be a advanced course. OELC-DG/FE is open for both MATC member states and NATO/PfP countries. The first OELC-DG/FE starts in April 2018.

OELC-DG was developed following the Czech Air Force requirement for operational English language training with the aim to to unify and instruct English terminology used by airborne gunners within NATO aircrews. The course is instructed by two experienced British Qualified Helicopter Tactics Instructors (QHTI). “The overarching objective is to focus on interoperability and standardisation of procedures by combining the crews during the training”, said one of QHTIs, Danny Hanson. The tactical simulator is intended to be used in the final part of the course to simulate the tactical scenarios to prompt the correct and timely use of key phrases by students – door gunners from MATC countries – Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Croatia. Later, the intention is to extend training to NATO/EU/PfP military units.

Norway provided funds through the MHI (Multinational Helicopter Initiative) trust fund for two OELC-DG courses. This provision triggered intensive preparatory effort with UK QHTIs visiting 22 Helicopter Base at Namest to discuss the content of the course directly with the trainees. The British instructors have a long association with NATO/EU helicopter crews, as they have been providing the EDA (European Defence Agency) Helicopter Tactics Course (HTC) in RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The preparatory effort laid the good foundation for the OELC-DG syllabus, which is in line with NATO and EDA training standards. The first course finishes on 28 April 2017.

The 2nd (OELC-DG-2) Course is scheduled for the term 22 May – 16 June 2017.