In early 2008, Air Base Nº5 welcomed, at different periods of time with an interval of 15 days between them, two detachments from allied forces, Denmark and the Netherlands. Portugal was the Host Nation of these trainings because of the weather, since during winter it was more favorable to do this type of training in Portugal than in the participating countries. At the end of these multinational events, Portugal received letters of reference from the countries involved, praising the way in which they were received, particularly highlighting the excellence of planning and the competence shown in the conduct and execution of operations.

In 2008, Denmark requested again the organization of an event similar to the previous one, with a deployment of 12 F-16M aircraft, settled to begin in the first months of 2009 at Air Base Nº5, in Monte Real. This Danish intention triggered what was already a goal of the Portuguese Air Force: to create a tactical air exercise in Portugal, in such an attractive and challenging way that it could appeal to the participation of allied and partner air forces. Thus, the REAL THAW exercise was born.