On 16 May 2026, after a two-year hiatus, the gates of 22. základna vrtulníkového letectva (the 22nd Helicopter Air Base) once again opened to the general public. Similar to the previous edition, the Czech Armed Forces prepared a full day of static and dynamic displays, showcasing not only the equipment assigned to the base, but also an interesting review of the country’s air and ground forces, supported by presentation of several governmental agencies, partner companies and international guests.
It should be mentioned that the 2026 edition of the open day was particularly significant as it celebrated the 70th anniversary of the base. The airfield and supporting military facilities located in the vicinity of Náměšť nad Oslavou in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic were officially established on 20 June 1956. In October of the same year, the first fighter unit assigned to the base was created, equipped with MiG-15 aircraft. Nevertheless, it was temporarily based in Čáslav until the construction of the Náměšť airfield was completed.
The new Czechoslovak air base officially opened on 14 January 1960. During its early years, the airfield was home to fighter-bomber units equipped with Sukhoi Su-7BM and later Su-22 aircraft, supported by L-29 Delfín training jets.
After the fall of the Eastern Bloc and the subsequent dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the base underwent several reorganisations within the new structures of the Czechoslovak, and later Czech, armed forces. On 28 October 1998, the base received its honorary name, “Biskajská” (an adjective derived from the Bay of Biscay). In this way, the unit took over the traditions associated with No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron of the Royal Air Force from the Second World War.
On 1 December 2003, the air base was redesignated the 22nd Air Base. Over the following decade, training and combat aircraft were transferred from the Náměšť airfield to other air bases throughout the country. Eventually, in December 2013, the base became a rotorcraft-dedicated facility and was renamed the 22nd Helicopter Air Base. Further information about the history of the Czech helicopter units assigned to the base can be found in the 2022 article Twentieth Anniversary of the Czech Tigers.
Interestingly, the Náměšť airfield is currently the highest-located military airfield in the country. Its runway lies at an elevation of 450–460 metres above sea level.
This year’s edition of the open day at the Náměšť airfield was marked by rainy weather which, regrettably, had an impact on visitor numbers. Two years ago, when the weather conditions were favourable, the air base was visited by approximately 40,000 people (see Public Demonstration of the Czech H-1 Rotorcraft System – Náměšť Open Day 2024 for the full report from the event). This time, low temperatures, a cold wind and pouring rain caused that only genuine aviation and military enthusiasts took the opportunity to visit the 22nd Helicopter Air Base.
And they had nothing to regret. Despite the rain, around 10,000 guests enjoyed an interesting and exciting day at the base, especially as the weather improved in the afternoon and even the sun appeared from time to time.
The 2026 edition of the Náměšť Open Day officially began at 9:30 hours with a concert by a military band from Olomouc. Visitors then had the chance to see dynamic displays performed by the 225th Combat Support Squadron, including a presentation of the Musado Military Combat System, as well as demonstrations by the Prison Service of the Czech Republic.
The flying displays commenced at around 11:00 with a flypast by two Saab JAS-39C Gripen fighters of the Czech Air Force. This was followed by an opening helicopter formation flight, concluding with a parachute drop from a Mi-171Sh rotorcraft.
The Náměšť-based H-1 system combat helicopters, the Bell UH-1Y Venom and Bell AH-1Z Viper, were presented to the gathered audience in an eye-catching dynamic display featuring pyrotechnic effects.
Next came a combined tactical display based on a combat rescue scenario. A Mi-171Sh rotorcraft entered the scene to insert a combat rescue team into an area that did not allow the helicopter to land, using the Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction (SPIE) system. The mission objective was to locate and rescue two crew members from a downed aircraft.
After the crew had been located and identified, they were, together with the rescue team, extracted from the scene by the rotocraft. The Helicopter Rope Suspension Technique show was enhanced by the presentation of the official flag of the 22nd Helicopter Air Base, displayed by both the rotorcraft crew and the combat rescue team suspended beneath the aircraft.
It was then time for the first display performed by a foreign aircraft, an Eurocopter EC665 Tigre HAD of Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra (the Spanish Army Airmobile Force, commonly known as FAMET). The European-built twin-engine attack helicopter, locally designated HA.28, performed an interesting combat demonstration showcasing its exceptional mobility and manoeuvrability. Although the Spanish performance was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the event, it should be acknowledged that, compared with displays flown by German Army Aviation Corps EC665 helicopters, it lacked some of the more spectacular aerobatic manoeuvres, such as the famous helicopter loop.
The audience gathered along the display line had little time to catch their breath, as the Tigre demonstration was shortly followed by another international participant, a Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk of Vzdušné síly Slovenské republiky (the Slovak Air Force).
The Slovak Black Hawk made its premiere appearance at Náměšť in 2024, during the previous edition of the event. Back then, the dynamic and eye-catching performance of the iconic combat helicopter made the UH-60M one of the stars of the show, and the display was very well received by spectators. This year was no different, and the Black Hawk performance was once again rewarded with enthusiastic applause.
Although the next rotorcraft to appear over the Náměšť runway belonged to a civilian operator, the Heli Czech company from Hradec Králové, its origins lay firmly in military aviation.
The MD 500E, which was the aircraft in question, was designed in the late 1960s and directly derived from the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse/Loach military helicopter. Nicknamed the “Flying Egg”, the OH-6 entered service during the Vietnam War and soon became one of the most recognisable utility helicopters in the world. Its civil derivative, the Model 500, later became a popular choice among law enforcement agencies. In the mid-1980s, Hughes was acquired by McDonnell Douglas, which subsequently introduced the updated and modernised MD 500 series.
The next display took the audience back to the past of the Náměšť airfield. Performed by an Aero L-29 Delfín, the show recalled the days when aircraft of this type were based there. The light and agile jet trainer, operated by the Slovak company L29 Delfin, delivered a spectacular performance featuring impressive low passes and a touch-and-go manoeuvre.
The first block of flying displays concluded with a firefighting demonstration. It involved a Mi-171Sh helicopter and the air base fire brigade. During this display, the crew performed a simulated firefighting mission using a 3,000-litre Bambi Bucket, suspended below the helicopter on an external sling. Despite the pouring rain, the water drop was repeated several times, giving spectators the opportunity to familiarise themselves with this popular, albeit demanding, firefighting procedure.
Interestingly, the aforementioned firefighting demonstration was the only officially authorised flying display of the Czech Air Force for the 2026 season. Recently, the country’s military authorities decided to significantly reduce the airshow flying activities. This decision led, inter alia, to the cancellation of the JAS-39 solo display, as well as affected other demonstrations that domestic audiences had become accustomed to seeing in previous years.
The short break that followed was filled with an RC model display performed by The Rebels association. The group of aircraft modellers arrived in Náměšť with a collection of large-scale models that included several iconic aircraft types, such as the JAS-39C Gripen, Hawker Hunter, Eurofighter Typhoon, L-39 Albatros and F-4 Phantom II. Although only a few of them were flown, the modellers’ stand attracted considerable interest throughout the day.
After a roughly thirty-minute break, the second part of the flying programme began. Largely, it based on repetitions of the previous displays, including the H-1 rotorcraft demonstration, the EC665 Tigre and UH-60M performances, the combat rescue scenario, the L-29 Delfín display and the firefighting demonstration.
In addition, Centrum Leteckého Výcviku (Flight Training Centre – CLV) from Pardubice presented the Enstrom 480B-G helicopter. This light utility rotorcraft was showcased in a dynamic display flown by one of the CLV flight instructors, Jaroslav Špaček.
Weather conditions improved for a time and the sun occasionally appeared. This made the second part of the flying programme even more enjoyable. Although it largely consisted of repeat performances, they were flown in noticeably different ways and under considerably better viewing conditions.
The final part of the flying programme also included the take-off of three Aero L-159 ALCA light combat aircraft. Shortly afterwards, they performed several formation flypasts over the runway. It is worth noting that the 212th Squadron of the Czech Air Force, equipped with this aircraft type, is currently operating from the Náměšť airfield. The unit has temporarily been transferred to the 22nd Helicopter Air Base due to the modernisation of its home base at Čáslav.
The flying displays during the 2026 edition of the Náměšť Open Day concluded with a flypast by an Airbus A319 CJ. The aircraft belonged to 241. dopravní letka (241st Transport Squadron) of 24. základna dopravního letectva (24th Air Transportation Base), based at Prague-Kbely and commonly known as the “government squadron”.
Visitors to the 22nd Helicopter Air Base also had the opportunity to inspect several examples of military equipment displayed throughout the day.
The exhibition included Náměšť-based helicopters such as the UH-1Y Venom and the AH-1Z Viper, as well as the two examples of the Mi-171Sh. In addition, the Czech Air Force showcased its JAS-39C Gripen and L-159 ALCA combat aircraft, supported by a CASA C-295M and one of the most interesting Czech-built aircraft, the photogrammetric version of the popular Turbolet. Designated the Let L-410FG, the aircraft was built in the mid-1980s in only seven examples for the then Czechoslovak Air Force.
FAMET joined the static display with an EC665 Tigre HAD and an NHIndustries NH90 TTH, locally designated HT.29. Both Spanish helicopters attracted considerable interest from visitors and it was a pity that they remained unattended throughout the day. Aviation enthusiasts, as well as members of the general public, would undoubtedly have appreciated the opportunity to speak with FAMET personnel, learn more about the helicopters and perhaps purchase some aviation souvenirs.
CLV Pardubice attended the event with the aforementioned Enstrom 480B-G and one of its latest acquisitions, the Zlín Z-143LSi GENIUS. The latter attracted particular interest as it was the first public appearance of this aircraft in the CLV livery. One of the newest units of the Czech Armed Forces, 533. prapor bezpilotních systémů (533rd Unmanned Systems Battalion), arrived with a Boeing Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagle unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. Finally, visitors could also admire a beautifully restored Mil Mi-24D attack helicopter, exhibited by Muzeum protivzdušné obrany (the Air Defence Museum) in Újezd near Brno.
Naturally, the aircraft exhibition was just a part of the static display. Visitors could also inspect several examples of military equipment, including the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, artillery and air-defence systems, logistics and CBRN units, firefighting vehicles and a variety of airfield-support equipment.
In addition, several stands promoted various particular armed forces units, military schools, medical services and law enforcement agencies. Particularly noteworthy was the presentation by the Prison Service and several defence-industry companies, including SVOS Přelouč, which brought the eye-catching MARS 4×4 S-330 armoured vehicle equipped with the RBS 70 NG air defence system.
Moreover, visitors to the 22nd Helicopter Air Base could enjoy helicopter sightseeing flights operated throughout the day by Heli Czech, as well as a wide range of souvenir and food stalls.
In conclusion, those who were not discouraged by the weather and visited the Náměšť airfield despite the rain and cold were rewarded with a day full of aviation attractions, impressive flying displays, interesting aircraft and numerous engaging exhibitions.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, the majority of the announced flying displays went ahead, with only a few cancellations. These included the CLV-operated L-39C Albatros and the Mi-24 RC model demonstration, as well as the planned static exhibition of the Aero L-39NG Skyfox.
It is only a pity that the initially announced flypast by two Slovak F-16V fighter aircraft did not take place. Nevertheless, their appearance at the event had been cancelled long before the final flying programme was confirmed.
In conclusion, the 2026 edition of the open day at the 22nd Helicopter Air Base was a well-organised and engaging aviation event. The base personnel prepared an attractive dynamic display programme, supported by equally interesting static exhibition Alongside presentations by the Czech Armed Forces, the event featured several foreign participants, whose equipment was showcased in eye-catching displays. Despite the unfavourable weather conditions, the organisation and overall course of the event remained largely unaffected.
It should be noted that, in recent years, the Czech Air Force has organised a series of open days at its two main air bases in Čáslav and Náměšť, held in even and odd years, respectively. These events have been very popular with the public, regularly attracting tens of thousands of visitors.
However, due to the forthcoming introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, 21. základna taktického letectva (21st Tactical Air Base) in Čáslav was closed for reconstruction in spring 2026. The aviation units based there have been relocated to Pardubice and Náměšť, and the reopening of the base is planned for 2028.
Therefore, it is certain that no open day will be held in Čáslav in 2027. Furthermore, the future of public air shows there remains uncertain due to the increased security measures associated with F-35 operations.
One can only hope that the tradition of biennial open days will continue at the 22nd Helicopter Air Base, and that the gates of the Náměšť airfield will open to the public again in 2028. At present, the matter remains entirely open.
More images from the Náměšť airfield open day 2026:
