Military Technology EATC

Introduction 4 · MILITARY TECHNOLOGY Special Issue 2021 The Key to EATC’s Success … … is first of all political willingness, which was confirmed by the seven nations joining EATC. Yet to be successful, political willingness needs to be coupled to another required resource: mutual trust and confidence at all levels. Nations are only willing to pool and share assets and other resources if this condition is fulfilled. Trust and confidence are not a given fact. It is a sustained, long-term effort. The fact that our member nations integrated EATC into their Air Mobility Command and control structure clearly underlines the expectations they have placed in this concept and the organisation, up to the point that some nations completely disbanded their national Air Mobility Command, solely relying on the expertise and capacity of the EATC. Thus, and as a natural consequence, I as the commander of EATC have to report an- nually to the Air Chiefs in the so-called MATraC. This is our high-level steering body where we receive directions and guidance on the topics and challenges to tackle. However, the national trust and confidence towards EATC relies also on the assurance that EATC honours at all moment the specific requirements from the member nations and ultimately their national sovereignty. The business model is a well-thought-out concept that assures the transfer of authority of the member nations’ air transport assets. The fact that the transfer of assets can be unilaterally revoked at any given time and without explanation, safeguards possible national caveats. From the be- ginning, this built-in provision resulted in the vast majority of aircraft being transferred to the EATC. And in consequence, EATC delivers high-quality service, taking into account at all moment the needs of each member nation. The credible relationship between the air forces is an important source of resilience among the nations. They share aircraft within EATC Today, EATC is the major command for air mobility in Europe. Seven nations operate their military air mobility assets under one com- mand with one common set of rules and regulations. The foundation idea emerged in 1999 at the Washington NATO Summit and the EU Helsinki Summit. Both summits recognized that military air transport shortfalls need to be addressed and interoperability to be enhanced if operational challenges are to be met. France and Germany took up the initiative and laid the foundations for a common command. Soon, Belgium and the Netherlands joined this forward-looking project and EATC saw the light of day on 1 September 2010 at Eindhoven Air Base. Luxembourg joined in 2012. Two years later, in 2014, it was the turn of Spain and Italy to accede the club. EATC’s Main Objectives Are … … laid down in our mission statement: EATC enhances the combined operational capabilities of the member nations, conducts air mobility mis- sions, always keeping in mind to improve the effectiveness and efficiency, and increases interoperability. To ensure efficient operational control, EATC integrates all transferred national responsibilities and resources. The member nations have transferred the authority of their air mobility assets to EATC. Across the seven nations, EATC has in its portfolio approximately 170 aircraft for air transport, air-to-air refuelling and aero- medical evacuation. These assets are stationed on 15 national air bases across the seven nations. The integrated staff of currently 200+ persons handles the full process from planning and tasking to controlling of the fleet both in peacetime and in times of crisis. At any moment, EATC chooses the asset, which best fits to the requirements of the mission at hand. The diversity of the portfolio with more than 20 types of aircraft gives EATC a unique flexibility and effectiveness. Major General Andreas Schick, Commander European Air Transport Command (Photo: EATC) M