As 2024 comes to a close, the European Air Transport Command (EATC) celebrates another year of exceptional achievements, driven by its role as Europe's centre of expertise for air mobility. Despite a complex global landscape, EATC’s dedication to multinational cooperation and interoperability has allowed its seven member nations to navigate unprecedented challenges together.
Operational Highlights
This year, EATC demonstrated its strategic importance with over 8,000 missions and 50,000 flight hours. These operations showcased the organization's versatility and operational excellence, with notable achievements including:
- Humanitarian Missions: Airdropping 450 tonnes of aid over Gaza to alleviate the ongoing crisis.
- Strategic Airbridging: Supporting distant territories like New Caledonia, ensuring connectivity and rapid response capabilities.
- Support to Ukraine: More than 160 dedicated missions underpinned Europe’s steadfast assistance in the ongoing conflict.
- Multinational Deployments: Major exercises in the Pacific involving 24 assets showcased EATC's growing global reach.
- Evacuations: The safe extraction of 1,100 citizens from Beirut demonstrated EATC's critical role in crisis response.
These operations underline a key shift: from supporting selected operations to responding globally, spanning from the Indo-Pacific to Europe and the Middle East.
Geopolitical Shifts and Strategic Adaptability
2024 emphasized the changing security paradigm. No longer confined to regions like Afghanistan or Iraq, EATC’s focus now includes emerging theatres across the Indo-Pacific and immediate European borders. This evolution reflects the growing volatility of global affairs and underscores the need for agile, interoperable military responses.
Interoperability: The Core of Success
EATC’s emphasis on interoperability remains a cornerstone of its strategy. Through standardized procedures, multinational training exercises, and shared resources, the command continues to enhance collective readiness. This year, initiatives such as the European Air Refuelling Training (EART), the Disabled Aircraft Recovery Training (DART), the European Tactical Airlift Programmes (ETAP), and the Combined Air Terminal Trainings (CATT), alongside contributions to NATO-led exercises like Steadfast Duel, have further solidified EATC’s capabilities and its pivotal role in fostering multinational cooperation.
Looking Ahead to 2025
EATC is poised to face the inevitable crises of the coming year with resilience and innovation. Initiatives like the Lighthouse Project will advance operational flexibility, while continued collaboration with NATO and other European defence entities will strengthen multinational responses. Major-General Franck Mollard’s vision of “Together, we go beyond” reflects the unity and adaptability that define EATC’s success.
As we close the chapter on 2024, the commitment and expertise of the Eindhoven team ensure EATC remains at the forefront of European air mobility. With shared values and a collective mission, EATC and its member nations stand ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.