AIR CHIEFS MEET TO DISCUSS CO-OPERATION AND INTEROPERABILITY IN MILAN, ITALY
The European Air Group Steering Group, comprising the Chiefs of Staff or their representatives of the Air Forces of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom, met in Milan, Italy on 20 June.
The Steering Group is the highest governance body for the European Air Group and meets annually to provide direction and guidance for its work. This meeting was hosted by the Italian Air Force and chaired by Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of the German Air Force and Director of the European Air Group. Lt Gen Gerhartz assumed directorship of the EAG from Lt Gen André Steur, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, on 18 January 24.
The aim of the Steering Group Meeting was to discuss the progress of the European Air Group’s projects in order to shape their future development. The Air Chiefs discussed and provided national perspectives on several topics including the following:
- Opportunities to deliver a European interpretation of NATO Agile Combat Employment Concept, including:
- Technician Interoperability for cross-servicing of aircraft between nations
- Collective use of Ground Support Equipment
- Combined approach for the Force Protection of the dispersed assets
- Agile maintenance and its adaptation for High Intensity combat
- Collaborative approach to interoperability of F-35 ground operations within Europe
- Cyber security initiative with our Industrial partners
- Flexible use of military and civilian airspace to improve mutual training opportunities
- Future delivery of Red forces for training purposes
The outcomes of this meeting will be put into effect by the EAG Permanent Staff (PS) and specialists from the seven nations during the coming year and beyond, in coordination with other multinational organisations such as NATO or the European Defence Agency.
BACKGROUND
The EAG undertakes projects and studies to identify realistic ways to improve interoperability between member nations. It coordinates the development of Technical Arrangements that are legally endorsed and produces handbooks and planning guides that enable enhanced interoperability. The EAG trials its products and procedures under the auspices of the VOLCANEX series of exercises. The EAG currently engages across a portfolio of projects, based around four core pillars: Air Operations; Force Protection; Logistics and Aviation Medicine; Communications and Information Systems, and Tactical Data Link. The EAG was a catalyst for the creation of the European Air Transport Command (EATC) and the European Personnel Recovery Centre (EPRC) which provide concrete examples of interoperability success stemming from EAG projects.
