It's summer, the European pilots are training

26th June 20128th May 2018 B2 Writing

(BRUSSELS2) A large-scale joint exercise brought together several pilots of air transport aircraft from six different countries (*), in Zaragoza, from 4 to 15 June. A first ! Baptized EATT 2012 (European Air Transport Training Event), this exercise aimed toimprove interoperability, test in flight the concepts, techniques and strategies developed in the "cocoon" of the European Defense Agency and the EATC, the European Air Command in Eindhoven.

During these two weeks, several tactical scenarios were thus simulated, at the rate of two daily outings: dropping packages, landing an assault on rough terrain, low-altitude navigation, patrol flight or even night operations. The second week focused on direct combat scenarios, including extraction missions and mid-air attacks by Spanish F-18s to test defense capabilities. An exercise observed with attention on the American and NATO sides, which « widely encouraged » this exercise. For Americans, interoperability of its allies, both in terms of skills and equipment, is indeed essential. Harmonizing at European level thus represents for them “considerable interest” not only at the strategic level but also financially as explained by a European officer who took part in the exercise. The purpose of the exercise was therefore equalment to test the compatibilities with NATO for example by carrying out landings on NATO marking.

But there is still a long way to go

At the material level, there are big differences between nations and the exercise only points them out. It is then necessary to reabsorb these differences ". At the level of skills, the same observation: there is no european certificate which would ensure that the pilots have the same skills. But the European Defense Agency there “ work ". From 2014, training will be provided on a permanent basis at European level (European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course, EATTC) on the model of what the United States has been doing since... 1984! And the EATT should be bigger in 2013, with more participants but also even more varied scenarios. The Agency is also working with Member States to develop a European skills certification system. It remains to be seen at what level of security, explains our officer: because between patrol, search and rescue, and direct combat, the level of skills required is not the same!

(*) Six Member States took part in this joint exercise: Belgium with a Hercules C-130, the Czech Republic with a CASA 295, France with a Hercules C-130, Germany with two Transall C-160s), the Netherlands Down with a Hercules C-130 and finally the host country, Spain with a Hercules C-130 and a Casa 235, as well as four F-18s for the simulation of air attacks. Austria, Bulgaria, Italy and Norway were also present as observers. In total, about 200 people were directly involved in the exercise.

Here is a video of the exercise: