On 1 September 2025, the European Air Transport Command (EATC) marked its 15th anniversary with a high-profile ceremony at Eindhoven Air Base, celebrating a decade and a half of unity, excellence, and multinational cooperation in military air mobility.
The event brought together senior military authorities from all seven Member Nations — Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Spain — alongside NATO representatives, European institutions, and key defence industry stakeholders. Guests paid tribute to EATC’s achievements since its creation in 2010, from life-saving aeromedical evacuations to strategic transport, air-to-air refuelling, and rapid crisis response missions worldwide.
Among the high-profile guests were Dutch State Secretary for Defence, Mr Gijs Tuinman, Dutch Air Chief Lieutenant General André Steur, and Italian Air Chief Lieutenant General Antonio Conserva.
Mr Tuinman highlighted the enduring value of international collaboration: “No nation can live alone… The European Air Transport Command proves this every day. What started as a cost-saving necessity fifteen years ago has grown into a powerful example of international cooperation.”
EATC Commander Major General Franck Mollard also addressed the audience: “EATC’s strength lies in its people and in the unique trust that binds our seven Member Nations together. Through innovation, harmonised procedures, and shared responsibility, we deliver concrete operational effects for Europe and NATO.”
The ceremony unveiled EATC’s leitmotiv, “Together we go beyond,” reflecting the organisation’s commitment to strengthening interoperability and preparing collectively for future challenges. Highlights included a flyby of a Belgian A400M, piloted by a Luxembourg pilot and a British co-pilot, alongside a Dutch F-35, a symbolic group photo, and a reception at EATC Headquarters.
A special moment of the event was the medal presentation, during which General Mollard awarded the French National Defence Medal to the Senior National Representatives of Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, recognising their outstanding contributions to EATC’s success over the years.
Looking ahead, EATC continues to advance harmonised maintenance procedures, enabling multinational teams to operate each other’s aircraft and exchange parts efficiently. The organisation is also exploring its role in potential Article 5 scenarios, ensuring it remains a decisive and ready force for joint European and NATO operations.
The 15-year milestone underscores EATC’s enduring value: smart collaboration makes Europe stronger, deters adversaries, and prepares nations for the challenges of tomorrow. On to the next 15 years!