The first European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course (EAATTC) of 2016 is taking place in Zaragoza Airbase, Spain, from 14 to 26 February. Aircraft and crews from Belgium, Spain, Germany and Poland, together with instructors from the European Air Transport Command (EATC), Italy and the staff of the European Defence Agency (EDA) are engaged in an intelligence driven programme that will see the crews complete complex multi-threat missions in a challenging winter mountain environment. Additionally, for the first time, a selection of crews will operate in the same high threat conditions, but with the added burden of operating at night with sole reference to Night Vision Goggle (NVG) technology and the natural light of moon and stars.
The training starts with academics sessions, followed by a challenging low level navigation exercise that allows a brief familiarisation of the area and the rough landing grounds before. Crews are faced with a seemingly familiar but fictitious scenario progressing from a surface-to-air to an air-to-air threats environment. As this edition of the EAATTC is also dedicated to the new advanced NVG course, the night crews are confronted with the same insurgent scenario as the daylight crews. Eight flights are planned for the NVG course.
Background
The European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course aims to provide air transport crews with a robust airlift tactics training syllabus in order to enhance interoperability between European air forces. It takes crews into a theatre-deployment mindset, exposing them to airland and airdrop missions in a tactically challenging environment. Emphasis is put on aircraft operations and on application of procedures in a changing environment. The EAATTC training series is an integral component of the wider 20-nation European Air Transport Fleet Partnership.
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