On 3 March 2026, the European Air Transport Command (EATC) welcomed Major-General Dirk Kipper, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations at the Allied Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC), for a working visit to EATC Headquarters at Eindhoven Air Base.
The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation and discuss how both organizations contribute to NATO readiness in peacetime, crisis, and conflict.
Cooperation and Interoperability
Following his arrival, General Kipper held an office call with the EATC Commander before attending a working briefing with representatives from EATC divisions.
Discussions focused on the growing collaboration between EATC and JSEC, particularly in coordinating air transport and logistical support within NATO’s operational framework. Participants also examined ways to enhance liaison arrangements from peacetime to crisis, ensuring smooth coordination during operational transitions.
Interoperability between the software tools used by both organizations was another key topic. Ensuring compatibility and effective information exchange is essential for maintaining shared situational awareness and supporting timely decision-making during multinational operations.
Complementarity in NATO Exercises
The meeting also addressed cooperation in major NATO exercises, including Steadfast Duel and Steadfast Defender. These exercises offer valuable opportunities to demonstrate the complementarity between EATC’s multinational air transport coordination role and JSEC’s mission to enable and sustain forces across the theatre.
Conclusion
The visit concluded with a question-and-answer session, followed by the signing of the EATC guest book and a group photograph.
General Kipper’s visit highlighted the importance of close cooperation between organizations responsible for operational support and strategic air mobility, reinforcing NATO’s ability to deploy, sustain, and enable forces whenever required.