From 27 to 28 November 2018, EATC hosted its biannual “Planning Conference” at Eindhoven airbase. This essential rendezvous gathered experts from EATC’s member nations, MCCE¹ and ETAC². The attendees planned trainings and operations that are to take place during 2019.
The first-day programme aimed at the exercise calendars where air transport and air-to-air refuelling play an active role. The attendees also focused on “cross-participation” opportunities. EATC encourages its member nations to train together through EATC’s multinational organised trainings & exercises but also to seize the chance for bilateral cross-participation activities. Only through common training will we succeed to become interoperable!
On the second day, the conference discussed the long term planning activities for the first semester 2019, including airlift, air-to-air refuelling support, shuttle requirements, (re)deployments, resupply and troop rotations for scheduled exercises and on-going military operations. The participants had fruitful and frank exchanges on their current relevant challenges, on the national ATARES balances and most importantly on the reduction of the ratio of empty cargo space. They also discussed the major "Key Performance Indicator" that need to be addressed in the next semester. This is utmost importance in order to consolidate the effectiveness of operations and to obtain the desired level of efficiency and interoperability.
Reinforced cooperation with MCCE…
The Planning Conference welcomed EATC’s and MCCE’s approach to constantly leverage opportunities to strengthen their cooperation. The attendees discussed in particular the intent to increase synergies regarding logistical manoeuvers and to integrate MCCE into EATC’s planning process of one of the future training events requiring a major deployment from the EATC member nations.
EATC achieves recognized sustained success …
through its planning conferences. This conference is an effective encounter between EATC experts and planners at multinational and national joint or single service level. The latter have the opportunity to exchange information, share ideas, plan ahead together and tackle common issues. EATC on the other hand continuously improves processes through these conferences and strives for harmonisation and interoperability.
The 18th edition of the Planning Conference will be held in May 2019 at Eindhoven airbase.
¹ Movement Coordination Centre Europe
² European Tactical Airlift Centre
* the pictures are kindly provided by EATC partner nations