Initial Combined Air Terminal Training (ICATT) 2025#1, focused on EATC’s Ground Operations Manual (EGOM) regulations, officially began on February 24, 2025, at the Italian Air Force 3rd Wing in Villafranca di Verona, Italy. The week-long training event, running until February 28, has brought together over 30 participants from 9 nations, including EATC’s Participating Nations (PN) and guest nations, underscoring the growing importance of multinational cooperation in air mobility.
A Multinational Gathering
ICATT 2025#1 includes personnel from EATC’s core PN nations—Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain—along with Austria, Lithuania, and Poland, as guest nations participating through the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) Program. The goal of the event is to enhance international cooperation and operational knowledge related to EGOM regulations, which are critical to improving the coordination and efficiency of joint air operations across Europe.
The Italian Air Force’s 3rd Wing in Villafranca di Verona provides the perfect setting for this important training, aiming to strengthen the interoperability of European air forces and improve their strategic airlift capabilities. This follows the Certification to Italian Air Force 3rd Wing Villafranca: Strengthening Multinational Training and Interoperability obtained in October 2024, which marks a significant milestone in enhancing the base's operational readiness and ability to support multinational training efforts.
Strengthening Multinational Training and Interoperability
ICATT 2025#1 offers participants an invaluable opportunity to engage in simulations, discussions, and hands-on training sessions designed to deepen their understanding of EGOM processes. Instructors from EATC always lead these sessions, ensuring that the training is aligned with the highest standards and best practices for multinational air operations. This collaborative environment is meant to facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, fostering a more effective response to the evolving landscape of European air mobility.
The event also emphasizes the importance of standardization in air operations, with a particular focus on EGOM regulations. The EGOM provides a comprehensive set of guidelines that ensure smooth coordination at air terminals, streamline airlift operations, and align nations on key procedures like airfield management, cargo handling, and aircraft servicing.
Key Objectives and Training Focus
ICATT 2025#1’s core objectives include:
- Improved Interoperability: By applying EGOM regulations, the event aims to enhance cooperation between European air forces, creating seamless operations in joint air missions.
- Ground Operations Standardization: Leveraging the EATC Ground Operation Manual, participants are being trained in standardized ground procedures to ensure compatibility across different nations' equipment, systems, and operational practices.
- Logistical Coordination: The training sessions also emphasize the optimization of logistics and personnel movement, focusing on enhancing efficiency during airlift operations and improving the management of cargo and personnel across borders.
- Enhanced Strategic Airlift Capability: Through realistic training, the event aims to refine the use of strategic airlift capabilities, making it easier to deploy forces across Europe and respond quickly to changing operational needs.
Looking Ahead: A Collaborative Future
As the week progresses, ICATT 2025#1 will continue to engage participants in high-level exercises that build on their existing knowledge, creating a robust framework for future multinational air operations. This collaborative approach is essential in developing the collective expertise needed to address the challenges of modern air mobility, particularly as the need for flexible, multinational response capabilities grows.