On February 5, 2025, Eindhoven Air Base welcomed a distinguished delegation of local mayors and officials for an exclusive visit, reinforcing the strong ties between the military air transport community and its surrounding municipalities. The event, hosted by the four commanding officers of the air base, provided the guests with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the operations and strategic initiatives of the European Air Transport Command (EATC), the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit (MMU), the Movement Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE), and the Air Mobility Command (AMC).
In an era where global security dynamics are evolving rapidly, cooperation between civilian leadership and military organizations is more critical than ever. Recognizing this, Major General Franck Mollard (EATC), Colonel Jorrit de Gruijter (AMC), Colonel Ludger Bette (MMU), and Colonel Gioacchino Cassarà (MCCE) organized a comprehensive program to engage with the visiting delegation.
Among the attendees were mayors and representatives from Eindhoven’s neighbouring municipalities, including Mr. Marcel Delhez (Veldhoven), Mr. Marcel Oosterveer (Waalre), Ms. Suzanne Otters-Bruijnen (Son en Breugel), Mr. Wim Wouters (Eersel), and Ms. Veronique Zeeman (Best), as well as key figures such as Ms. Marijke Wilms-Wils, Director of Veiligheidsregio Brabant-Zuidoost, and Mr. Albert van Veldhoven, Chairman of Eindhoven Police Harmony. Their presence underscored the shared commitment to fostering collaboration and mutual understanding.
The visit began at the EATC headquarters with an introduction to its business model, highlighting the vital role of a multinational air transport command in European and international defence. Key topics included the command’s contributions to strategic and tactical airlift, air-to-air refuelling, medical evacuation, and multinational cooperation. The delegation also toured the mission control room, gaining first-hand insight into the coordination and management of air transport missions.
Before heading to the airfield, lunch was offered at the officers’ club, providing an opportunity for informal discussions and networking. Following this, the program shifted to the airfield, where the visitors were introduced to the business models and roles of the MCCE, MMU, and AMC. The highlight of the airfield tour included a visit to an A330 MRTT aircraft, provided by the MMU, and a C-130 Hercules, provided by the AMC. These demonstrations offered a practical understanding of the capabilities and assets that support European defence and humanitarian operations. After visiting the aircraft, a reception was held at the officers’ club, where the distinguished guests honoured the occasion by signing the golden books.
The atmosphere throughout the visit was marked by open dialogue and a spirit of cooperation. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the base’s mission and the strategic importance of air mobility in today’s geopolitical landscape. The event reinforced the importance of ongoing collaboration between military and civilian leadership, ensuring strong and resilient partnerships in the future.