Istres, France, 4 June 2026
The European Air Transport Command (EATC) has officially awarded its certification label to the Centre d’Instruction des Transits Interarmées Aériens (CITIA) at French Air Base 125 in Istres, France.
The certification recognizes CITIA as an Acknowledged Multinational Ground Handling Training Facility. It confirms the centre’s compliance with EATC standards and highlights its contribution to multinational interoperability in military air mobility.
The ceremony took place at CITIA in the presence of Major General Franck Mollard, Commander EATC, and Brigadier General Cédric Colardelle, Commander of the Brigade Aérienne d’Assaut et de Projection (BAAP). The event brought together military authorities from the French Air and Space Force, representatives from EATC, and personnel from Air Base 125.
The certification follows a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by EATC subject matter experts. The assessment focused on training quality, instructor expertise, infrastructure, compliance with EATC Ground Operations standards, and CITIA’s ability to support multinational training activities. An EATC assessment team visited the facility in April 2026 to evaluate its readiness for certification.
In his address, General Mollard underlined the importance of common training standards for future air mobility operations:
“This certification recognizes the excellence of the training provided at CITIA and the professionalism of its instructors. It also acknowledges your commitment to multinationality, interoperability, and standardisation. These elements are essential for successful air mobility operations and remain at the heart of EATC’s mission.”
With this certification, CITIA becomes the third training facility to receive the EATC label, following the Airborne and Air Transport School in Altenstadt, Germany, in 2021, and the Villafranca Training Facility of the Italian Air Force’s 3rd Wing in 2024.
EATC warmly congratulates CITIA, BAAP, and Air Base 125 on this important achievement.