Abu Dhabi to hold first helicopter conference

Colonel Bart Hoitink, who is Director of Helicopter Operations at Air Force Headquarters, will be speaking on the establishment of a unified Defence Helicopter Command; a strategic coordination structure pioneered by the UK's Royal Air Force, as the Joint Helicopter Command and the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Both will be running a Unified Command Workshop on the 18th February.

Colonel Hoitink states that "the main focus from supporting the Mobile Air Brigade will shift to both supporting the army and naval troops," and that there will be "no future deployments of Dutch troops without helicopter support." He adds that it is for this reason that the Defence Helicopter Command was established; "one command where all the helicopters are concentrated and standardization between the forces takes place."

Ayat Toufeeq, Conference Director of Helicon Middle East says,

"This event is going to give civil defense and military personnel an opportunity to meet their international counterparts and exchange best practice and experience. Helicon will focus on transferring value and sharing knowledge in a professional environment. The Gulf region is rapidly growing to becoming the world's leading defense market and the helicopter market in particular is booming. The helicopter has defined itself as the key versatile and indispensable defense unit of the modern era, deeming an international exchange of expertise, ideas and solutions necessary to maximize the vehicle's potential."

The UK's Royal Navy will be celebrating 100 years of maritime aviation history this year, and Royal Navy Commander Mark Sheehan will be speaking on maritime helicopter utilization at Helicon Middle East. His presentation will discuss the Royal Navy's "next generation of helicopters called Future Lynx... currently being built in England with the first flight expected later this year." He will also be covering "the increasing importance of embarked maritime helicopter capabilities in combating the newly evolving challenges of piracy at sea."

Dr. Mohammad Adel Ibrahim from Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing will be delivering a presentation on Emergency Helicopter Medical Services; stating that "The Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing is playing a paramount role in implementing the strategic plan of the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, under the leadership of HE Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior, to make all who live in the UAE safe and prosperous, by ensuring swift, proper and efficient response to any emergency, be it medical, rescue operation or law enforcement."

Lieutenant Herve Dechoux, who will be representing the French Air Force, comments that
"the challenges facing the helicopter community at the dawn of the 21st Century may lead armed forces to reconsider the very definition of air mobility and trigger unprecedented progress in this particular field. The Helicon Middle East conference is the ideal ground to discuss these emerging and exciting concepts."