From 12 to 23 June 2023, EATC supported the multinational exercise Air Defender 23, led by the German Air Force.
During the two weeks, 250 assets from over 20 nations, trained air combat operations in the European airspace, from the North Sea to Romania. Those assets included A330 MRTT and A400M assets under EATC’s operational authority, flying daily air-to-air refuelling missions, as well as tactical airlift missions, transporting cargo, parachutists and passengers. EATC’s mission control team is in close coordination with the German JFAC*, monitoring each of these missions, in order to guarantee reliable air transport and air-to-air-refuelling support for Air Defender 23 at all times.
The Commander EATC, Major Andreas General Schick, welcomes the opportunity for “EATC to support this German Air Force led exercise implying the largest multinational air force deployment. Air Defender 23 will not only reinforce the cohesion among the 25 participating allies and partners, but it will also strengthen interoperability among the air forces.”
General Schick underlines that “the pursuit of interoperability is also the quintessence of EATC’s core business. Through exercises such as Air Defender or initiatives like EATC’s lighthouse project, we enhance interoperability and path the way for common operations in the future. Stronger together!”
For more information on Air Defender 2023 click here.
*Joint Force Air Component
Photo Credit: Bundeswehr