EAATTC 2016 underway in Spain

The first European Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Course (EAATTC) of 2016 is currently underway at Spain’s Zaragoza Airbase, the European Defence Agency (EDA) announced on 16 February.

The course, which is running between 14 February and 26 February, is being attended by crew and aircraft from Poland, Germany, Spain and Belgium, and instructors from Italy and the European Air Transport Command (EATC). EDA staff are also engaged in the programme.

The 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, with an emphasis on aircraft operations and application of procedures in a changing environment.

As part of the training, crew will complete multi-threat missions in a winter mountain environment. A selection of crew will also undertake Night Vision Goggle technology training in the same conditions.

The training includes academics sessions followed by a low-level navigation exercise. The crew will face familiar but fictitious scenarios progressing from a surface-to-air to an air-to-air threat environment.