Military Technology EATC

16 · MILITARY TECHNOLOGY Special Issue 2021 Message to national caveats and guidelines. Additionally, he is responsible for the approval of air operations implying the exchange of services within the ATARES agreement, keeping track of its national balance. From a common EATC perspective, SNRs are essential since they foster cooperation by seeking opportunities that help us utilize our air assets efficiently. MT: Every member nation contributes to EATC’s diverse multinational fleet of aircraft. How do you pool and share air transport capabilities both in peacetime and in times of crisis? Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial: During peace- time, Spain has permanently transferred the authority over the whole air transport fleet [A400M and C-295]. Additionally, our VIP Fleet [A-310 and Falcon 900] can be temporarily transferred on a case-by-case basis. Nevertheless, it is in times of crisis when we believe the EATC can provide a greater added value. At this point, a series of potential contributions to different crisis scenarios [non-combatant evacuation, humanitarian relief and the like] is under development at the EATC, and we are actively involved in the definition of these scenarios. MT: What does the future hold for your organisation’s participation in EATC? Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial: Our strong support to the EATC will remain unchanged in the future. Hence, we support EATC develop- ment as well as an expansion of its missions to crisis scenarios. We also believe there is plenty of room for development in the fields of standardisation and harmonization. For that purpose, the use of com- mon European aircraft [A400M, MRTT] can facilitate the establishment of a general framework for the harmonisation of flying and maintenance licenses – as well as “tactical currencies” – that could be very beneficial in the future. Being one of the main A400M users, we are eager to play a relevant role in this context. Overall, the Ejército del Aire is fully engaged in this venture. We have a lot to offer to our partner nations and we are very satisfied with the return we receive. EATC has a bright future and we are very proud to be a part of it. MT: The European Air Transport Command presently consists of seven member countries. What was the reason to become a member of this unique organisation? Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial: From the early days of this initiative, Spain has been fully convinced that the “pooling and sharing” model the EATC represents an optimal solution to make an efficient use of the assets European air forces operate. It has provided substantial bene- fits for our Ejército del Aire, not only with regard to operations, but also in the fields of standardisation, harmonisation and training. MT: Your organisation is represented within the EATC headquarters by an SNR. What does this entail? Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial: The SNR acts as the main link between EATC and our national headquarters, ensuring adherence Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial, MATraC chair, has been the Chief of Staff of the Spanish Air Force since 1 April 2017. In 2003, he became a Colonel and received command of Wing 11, a unit under the operational command of Combat Air Command (MACOM). Between 2006 and 2008, General Salto was Director of Operations of the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre No. 8 (CAOC 8) at Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base. In 2008, he was appointed Brigadier General and took over the Material Management Sub-Directorate Logistics Support Command (MALOG). In 2012, he was in charge of the Canary Islands Air Command Headquarters and three years later, as Lieutenant General, he was appointed Director of the Technical Cabinet of the Minister of Defence. Air General Javier Salto Martínez-Avial (Photo: Ejército del Aire)