European Air Group Annual Report 2019
CIS & Cyber
Air Ops
Force Protection Logs & Support
European Air Group - Solutions for Interoperability www.euroairgroup.org 1 4
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Contents
Foreword 1
The EAG – Seven Air Forces that are able to operate as one across 3 the spectrum of conflict
Building a common vision – what do we have to train for? 4
Military training airspace in the Single European Sky – 6 taking a multinational view
4th-5th Generation Interoperability – a holistic approach 8
Turning the spotlight on RED AIR 10
5th Generation – possible collaborative opportunities? 12
‘The times they are a changing’ 14
The Interoperable MALE RPAS ISR Training (IMRIT) – innovative, 16 low cost, multinational Networked Synthetic Training
Striking in a highly contested environment – the Air Launched Cruise 18 Missile Project
EAG Aviation Medicine – developing a new way to collaborate 20 8 14
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Fuel – a shared resource 22
Interoperability in Force Protection – as relevant as ever! 24
Gaining a better insight … Force Protection Seminar 26
Force Protection training – permanent effort to 28 bolster cohesion
How CIS impacts the OODA Loop 30
EAG Cyber – building on national Cyber defence to support 32 multinational cooperation
Improving communication and encouraging collaboration 34 through a digital workspace
Technical Arrangements – at the heart of doing business 36
Agreeing Strategies – the seven Air Chiefs meet in Bruges to 38 steer the EAG into the future
EAG Project Activities for 2019 39
Foreword
ince 31st of October 2018, I have been Sappointed Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, taking over also the duty of the EAG Director.
After few months in the job, I would like to take this opportunity to share with all of you my motivation to be part of this Organization and my belief in its value. At the same time, I would take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, General Enzo Vecciarelli, for the brilliant results achieved during his timeframe and the seamless daily work sustained, which I am willing to take over with the desire to promote continuity and coherence. It is my intent to proceed along the same path, based on an evolutionary approach and perspective that takes into account the current and future trends, scenarios, needs and opportunities, always in a pragmatic way.
I am fully convinced that the EAG represents the ideal forum where the seven Air Forces have the chance to effectively discuss and elaborate on Generale di Squadra Aerea Alberto Rosso different and challenging matters concerning the Director EAG development of many evolving areas and domains, through the wide spectrum of present and future capabilities, enhancing the overall interoperability among all of them. Our Air Forces are always facing new and growing challenges flowing in a multi- faceted environment characterized by multi-domain contexts and fast rising technology, where the speed of change is a new factor to consider while moving towards a better quality output tailored to our operational goals.
Therefore, I am convinced that in order to face the new emerging challenges coming from a complex and evolving scenario, our enhanced and growing cooperation between friends and allies is fundamental. It also needs stronger synergies and full interoperability in order to multiply the effects of different/complementary capabilities, and to face the full spectrum of any potential conflicts and threats. To that end, I consider the integration of 5th Generation platforms within our capability basket as a “must” and a unique opportunity to realize, together, concrete synergies with an inclusive approach and perspective.
In this respect, our personnel play a fundamental part and we need to establish the proper mind set.
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The future challenges we are going to face will demonstrate the benefit that comes from strong increasingly demand a different approach based cooperation and a common will. on new forms of training and procedures, to exploit skills and expertise in order to successfully operate Increasingly, this work not only involves the EAG in different sectors such as logistics, maintenance, Nations, but also encompasses the collaboration supplies and infrastructures. It is therefore necessary and contribution of other partners and to focus on personal motivation and professional multinational Organizations. This diversity in the abilities, considering these aspects as an integral part EAG’s network demonstrates its ability to generate of the whole capability that a system of whatever initiatives, projects and outputs that can positively generation demands and implies. reflect well beyond the boundaries of its members and across a wider European and allied footprint. I believe this is also the vision inspiring the Combined Air Interoperability Program (CAIP) initiative, which My wish for all of us is to continue along this path, will remain valuable and successful only if the cooperating and promoting our common values, management of its projects will continue to be together, in order to ensure security and prosperity modular and gradually implemented, in order with the same cohesion, sharing responsibilities and to pursue objectives and solutions of common burdens for the future. interest that are fully achievable and sustainable, not necessarily in the short term. Looking forward to working with you all!
The interoperability between 4th and 5th Generation air systems, embraced by the CAIP, is just one part of a broader EAG portfolio divided across four main areas: Air Operations, Force Protection, Logistics and CIS/Cyber. More than twenty projects and activities are underway in these domains to improve collaboration between the EAG Air Forces. Generale di Squadra Aerea Alberto Rosso Prominent examples of the EAG’s current work Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force include the interoperable MALE RPAS ISR Training Director EAG Project, which, in cooperation with the European Defence Agency, has introduced an innovative multinational simulator network for RPAS crews across ten countries. New processes for Command- and-Control of Force Protection operations are being developed in cooperation with the Joint Air Power Competence Centre. A new handbook for air launched cruise missile operations is being built up in collaboration with USAFE and, in addition, seminars and information exchanges are taking place between the EAG Nations and other partner Organizations concerning Counter UAS, CIS, Cyber and other subjects. The Advanced Aviation Medicine Course recently graduated its 100th student while a new Forward Arming and Refueling Point training syllabus has already been introduced.
In the following annual report, you will find an updated overview of these and other projects that are being implemented across the respective domains by the EAG and its partners, which clearly
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The EAG - Seven Air Forces that are able to operate as one across the spectrum of conflict he origins of the EAG can be traced back to allied military air operations in the Gulf War in 1991 and afterwards in Tthe former Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The experiences gained from these events and others resulted in efforts to improve interoperability that led to the formation of the Franco-British European Air Group in 1995. From the start, the word ‘European’ was included in the endeavour with the aim of encouraging more allies to join and by 1999 the Franco-British initiative had been transformed into the European Air Group – the ‘EAG’.
Today, the EAG is an independent collaboration of seven Air Force, who also Chairs the SG Annual Meeting, the top- Member nations – Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the level body that review the EAG’s activities and provides Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom - whose direction for future work. aim is to improve interoperability between the Member Air Forces under the umbrella of an Inter-Governmental A multinational Permanent Staff (EAG PS) of 30 personnel, Agreement. The EAG aims to improve interoperability established at RAF High Wycombe in the United Kingdom within a short timescale, at the tactical and operational is responsible for the execution and coordination of EAG levels. It does so by initiating and implementing projects activities. The EAG PS operates under the direction and with outputs such as Technical Arrangements that guidance of the Deputy Director EAG (DD EAG) Brigadier provide a legal framework for cooperation, new common General Stefan Scheibl (German Air Force) and is managed operating procedures, exercises to test and develop by the Chief of Staff (COS EAG) Colonel Hervé Lahille procedures, and courses, seminars, workshops and (French Air Force). other forums. Supplementing the SG, the EAG Working Group Examples of EAG outputs are, inter alia, the 4th-5th meets twice each year to agree how projects should Generation Combined Air Interoperability Programme be implemented and to provide national positions. (CAIP), the Air Launched Cruise Missile Project, an annual Additionally, each nation has appointed a Point of Contact VOLCANEX Force Protection exercise series, a new training at 1* level to support the EAG activities. The 1* POC Forum syllabus and procedures for deployed helicopter refuelling meets annually and although it is not currently a formal sites, a new networked training capability for MALE RPAS part of EAG governance, it makes recommendations and operators, and the Advanced Aviation Medicine Course. provides guidance. The EAG also laid the foundations for what became the European Air Transport Command and the European A separate Management Board at OF5/6 level is dedicated Personnel Recovery Centre. to providing guidance for the CAIP. Finally – and an essential ingredient for success – Subject Matter Experts The EAG distinguishes between three domains of are made available by the nations to support individual interoperability: technical, procedural and human. projects, in conjunction with the EAG PS. Rather than driving capability development, the EAG primarily seeks to exploit available and emerging Besides the seven Member Air Forces, the EAG works capabilities, to develop interoperability solutions in the in close cooperation with a substantial network of procedural and human domains. other nations and external multinational organizations, to coordinate activities, exploit synergies and Currently, the EAG is executing over twenty projects, avoid duplication. spread over four focus areas: Air Operations, Force Protection, Logistics and CIS/Cyber. The EAG’s projects predominantly have a horizon for completion of between one and three years, but the CAIP is a longer-term activity Rather than driving capability and some projects may continue indefinitely. development, the EAG primarily seeks to exploit available and A compact, efficient organization emerging capabilities, to develop The EAG is governed by the EAG Steering Group (SG) comprised of the Chiefs of the Air Staff from each of the interoperability solutions in the seven nations, one of whom is appointed as Director EAG procedural and human domains. (DEAG) on a two-year rotation basis. The current Director is Lieutenant Generale Alberto Rosso, the Chief of the Italian
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Building a common vision – what do we have to train for?
We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training. Archilocus
ll EAG Air Forces are having to take measures to adapt to new threats, political changes, new technologies, Achanges in societies and economic factors. In this turbulent context, this article explains the need to establish a steady datum in the form of a Common Vision on Future Training (CVFT) to provide cohesion and synergies for future training initiatives.
Potential adversaries are building formidable capabilities Multinational exercises and presenting increasingly complex, contested and In this extremely challenging context, organisations like challenging scenarios. In order to maintain an information NATO are placing an increasing emphasis on multinational advantage, there is a need for connectivity across multiple exercises, of which Exercise ‘Trident Juncture’ in Norway domains and also to dominate and counter cyber effects. in 2018 is a prominent example. In order to prepare All of this comes at a time when the resources available for sufficiently, EAG Air Forces must therefore not only train training are under pressure from budget constraints, the for individual national reasons, but must also develop ability of adversaries to monitor live training has increased, a common training framework, that will provide force significant changes are occurring in European airspace, preparation and readiness in order to be able to operate and range areas and other training facilities are changing effectively during multinational operations. Interoperability in order to meet future requirements. must therefore become an integral part of future training systems and plans, and a key step to consider in this In order to address these and many other challenges, air process will be to agree on a CVFT. forces must ensure that their training systems stay relevant, fit for purpose and evolve to keep ahead of the threats. Trends affecting training systems The arrival into service of 5th Generation fighters, and the On a national level, the process of transforming training force preparation challenges for EAG Nations within the systems is already under way within the EAG Air Forces next ‘Wetwo decades don’t willrise be to dramatically the level affected of our by expectations, the and across we fall a network to the of levelassociated of our organizations, training.’ as a increasingArchilocus need for realistic joint multinational training result of initiatives such as the USAF SLATE1 Program, at an affordable cost, from basic to high-end training and Australia´s Plan JERICHO and the ASDOT2 Programme in complex exercises. UK, among others. The EAG’s Combined Air Interoperability
The way forward? European LVC environment. © GarryRidsdale/Inzpire
1 Secure LVC Advanced Training Environment. 2 Air Support to Defence Operational Training. 4 European Air Group
Programme (CAIP) and the development of a CVFT of 2030+ and interoperability between 4th and 5th presents an opportunity for the EAG Air Forces to take Generation air systems. The CVFT would therefore support a multinational approach to training, in the context of CAIP projects related to training and embrace work enhancing interoperability between combinations of concerning Red Forces Capabilities, Multinational Training 4th and 5th Gen air systems. To provide a start point for and Exercises, Operational Training Infrastructure, Synthetic this process, trends in the evolution of training systems Training Networking and 5th Generation Awareness, can already be identified, including: Education & Training as well as other subjects.
• The need to train for operations in contested and The way ahead complex environments with an increasing demand The CVFT should be influenced by developments for systems able to blend live and synthetic assets; including, but not limited to, new threats, changes to European Air Traffic Management (ATM) and new • An increasing emphasis on multi domain operations; technologies enabling the integration of Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) training. The output intended is a CVFT • The need to train personnel to operate air systems that is acceptable to the EAG Nations and supports the (rather than just fly aircraft) due to the introduction implementation of CAIP projects and could lead to the of new technologies and air platforms; development of a European LVC training environment.
• The increasing use of synthetic training and the Not only must the CVFT be guided by national plans associated reduction in live training; for training systems, but the national plans themselves could be influenced by the advice provided by the • The increasing interest in using synthetic training for CVFT. Also, the development of a CVFT could potentially rehearsing complex missions; influence decisions related to the procurement of future national systems, by considering as a requirement the • The increasing use of synthetic training for practising need for these systems to be interoperable. sensitive or highly classified operations, to maintain security and avoid ‘eavesdropping’ by potentially In its most basic form, the essential ingredients in a CVFT hostile third parties; should include: an agreed concept about the purpose of future training, leading to an agreed direction of • The use of contracted training providers; travel and (ideally) some indicated timelines for specific developments. The next challenge for the EAG will be • The tendency to avoid company - owned Proprietary to draw these components together. This process will Software in procurement processes. require information from the EAG Air Forces and may potentially involve other organizations, leading to the Scope formation of a new EAG training network. If successful, On 6 June 2018, the EAG Steering Group endorsed ‘… this work will not only establish a template for the initiation of a CAIP project to develop a common vision interoperability training among the EAG Nations, but on future training.’ The future CVFT concept therefore could also provide a valuable and enduring point of envisages addressing the needs of the EAG Air Forces reference for other nations and organizations. within the context of the CAIP, including a future horizon
the force preparation challenges for EAG Nations within the next two decades will be dramatically affected by the increasing need for realistic joint multinational training at an affordable cost, from basic to high-end training and complex exercises.
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Military training airspace in the Single European Sky – taking a multinational view
The objective of Airspace design is to create an efficient, flexible and dynamic airspace structure, based on multiple-option routings and areas of Free Route airspace operations. Eurocontrol Website
he EAG staff has built a working relationship with the European Defence Agency (EDA) in order to better Tunderstand the impact of Single European Sky (SES) implementation on multinational, military day-to-day training airspace requirements.
The need for a clear identification of the required Taking a closer look volume and activation periods of airspace by military Following direction issued by the EAG Steering Group in organizations, with a focus on 5th Generation aircraft - in June 2018, the EAG Permanent Staff (PS) has established other words the military requirements or plans - is regularly a working relationship with the EDA, in order to assist in emphasized by civilian authorities. However, although the coordination between EAG nations and establish a military organizations have long been engaging with SES common military requirement for airspace use. This is a at a national level, the picture for multinational training is by-product of a project within the EAG’s Combined Air less clear. Interoperability Programme, or ‘CAIP,’ concerned with operational training infrastructure requirements. The definition of the requirements for future military training airspace will be needed, in order to accommodate EAG PS therefore has attended several SES forums, them in future airspace plans, as these require at least contacted national representatives and analysed a a two to three-year lead time. Identification of these series of documents and publications related to SES requirements will also enable the identification of national airspace management. capacities and future shortages, and highlight potential areas for multinational cooperation. The resulting findings concerning day-to-day training airspace requirements highlight that military inputs New ways of working into SES are mostly coming from the national level, Airspace is becoming an important matter in Europe, with but that SES network management involving all military requirements competing with increasing civilian operational stakeholders is necessary to facilitate capacity requirements. As a response to the dramatic comprehensive integration. growth in civil air travel witnessed in the last two decades, the European Commission passed SES packages to create Challenges and opportunities a legislative framework for European aviation. Even though Only relatively few of the existing documents really identify military organizations are not bound by this legislation, precise descriptions of military airspace requirements – they will need to integrate in order to ensure smooth air and these reveal that some nations have more issues operations in the future. concerning SES than others. They also reveal that the potential flexibility offered by fixed geographical Military In addition, Europe is currently experiencing a significant Variable Profile Areas (MVPA) and Variable Geometric Areas airspace capacity crisis, which has seen a dramatic rise (VGA) is seen by military organizations as a practicable in civilian air traffic delays and flight cancellations. way ahead. On the other hand, alternate SES proposals Even though the main causes are not due to military such as the use of Dynamic Mobile Areas (DMA) present traffic (the major civil network disruptors in 2018 were more significant challenges and limitations to military staffing, weather and industrial action) civilian stakeholders organizations, because of the uncertainty of their size and are encouraging the military organizations to improve location, especially with the introduction of 5th Generation their implementation of the Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) aircraft that may require larger blocks of training airspace. as quickly as possible, as this is seen as a solution to help Underlying these differences, compared with many civil alleviate congestion. air traffic movements, the additional time, effort and
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complexity required to generate military resources for training and other missions may be underestimated. Where they exist, misunderstandings and inconsistencies should be resolved, so that the constraints and factors affecting military air missions can be understood by all stakeholders. In addition, cross-border areas (CBAs) provided by nations can preferably be used as a whole for unique military training missions, or they can be subdivided for the benefit of more than one mission.
Unused (subdivided) parts of Temporary Reserved Areas (TRAs) and CBAs could be released for the benefit of the A Watchkeeper WK450 Remotely Piloted Air System RPAS in flight over civil airspace users. This modularity concept has already the UK during a test flight. been implemented by France, Germany and Italy in their national TRAs and has also been highlighted as best practice by different stakeholders. Underlying these differences, Potential roles for the EAG in this subject area are being compared with many civil considered, but could include raising the awareness air traffic movements the among national Air Staffs and Senior Leadership on multinational SES issues and playing a mediation role in additional time, effort and conjunction with the EDA and other organizations. As SES complexity required to is progressively implemented during the coming years, generate military resources for it will be vital for all EAG Air Forces to remain engaged training and other missions in the process, not only nationally, but also from the multinational perspective. maybe underestimated.
Flight Paths © FOCUS Online
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4th-5th Generation Interoperability – a holistic approach Interoperability: ‘The ability for Allies to act together coherently, effectively and efficiently to achieve tactical, operational and strategic objectives.’1 ‘Specifically, it enables forces, units and/or systems to operate together and allows them to share common doctrine and procedures, each other’s infrastructure and bases, and to be able to communicate.’2
n line with NATO’s interpretation of the term, the EAG distinguishes between the technological dimension, Iprocedural dimension and human dimension of interoperability, with most of its activities focussed on the latter two.
The introduction of 5th Generation (5th Gen) aircraft into tasked the EAG Permanent Staff (EAG PS) to identify the the air forces of several EAG nations brings radical advances related challenges and find solutions for interoperability in in sensor technology, precision, information processing multinational operations with combinations of current and power, communication capabilities and stealth. Making 5th Generation technologies. Or, in other words: to solve optimal use of these capabilities is not only changing the the interoperability issues of the future. Since then, the role of fighter aircraft in joint combined operations: their EAG PS has developed the ‘Combined Air Interoperability integration with existing technologies in a multinational Programme’ (CAIP) to resolve the issues that result from environment are also presenting numerous challenges for integrating 4th and 5th Generation weapon systems interoperability among the EAG Nations and their allies. and achieve a higher level of interoperability in future This situation is not restricted to the nations procuring 5th combined air operations. The CAIP is a rolling 5-year plan Gen technology. Any nation that may host 5th Gen aircraft, that is updated periodically and can be adjusted between or working in concert with them, needs to understand the updates as required, based on the progress achieved and capabilities and challenges they present. nations’ capabilities, commitments, intentions and needs.
Birth of a programme Bringing ideas together In order to face this new era head on and to get ahead of The integration of 4th and 5th Generation capabilities the associated issues, in 2015 the EAG Steering Group (SG) in the CAIP covers a broad spectrum of challenges,
A Royal Air Force F-35B conducts flight training with a Netherlands F-16.
1 NATO AAP-06 (2018). 2 www.nato.int 8 European Air Group
A CAIP workshop held within the EAG HQ. ranging from air operations, to C2 processes, security, or higher-level agreements, or targeted reports and infrastructure and sustainment. As discussed elsewhere conclusions. One thing that is clear is that the success of in this publication, the F-35 Programme and the way the CAIP will come from unity, the same unity that built its sustainment solution is designed, lends itself to the EAG in the first place and will continue to be vital, collaborative working practices on coalition deployments. as EAG air forces and allies work ever closer together. The same is true of the CAIP. Just as elements of a Squadron or Wing do not work in isolation, neither should the EAG. Many of the CAIP projects in execution and the challenges under development, deal with linked aspects of the 4th and 5th Generation domain. By encouraging collaborative working between the project owners and bringing the ideas together, the EAG PS is building synergies and a common understanding of the requirements for operating and hosting 5th Gen aircraft, and when exercising and operating 4th and 5th Gen aircraft together.
However, despite many positive developments, the process of gathering information about the F-35 is not An American F-15 with a RAF F-35B and a French Air Force Rafale – without its challenges. The introduction of the F-35 in visible symbols of the need for the CAIP. Europe is accompanied by substantial caveats about how, where and when information about it can be handled. An important next step for interoperability will be to agree ways of identifying and protecting information about the F-35 that can be shared between both F-35 and non-F-35 nations. You can never cross the ocean The holistic approach unless you have the courage The holistic approach does not change the fundamental to lose sight of the shore. idea behind the development of the CAIP. The CAIP provides an over-arching coordination of work and Christopher Columbus effectively ties a golden thread that runs through all of the challenges. This ensures that the project owners are aware of their colleagues’ progress, share lessons identified and work towards the same concluding outputs. What form some of the final outputs will take is still up for debate - potentially sets of CONOPS, or perhaps dedicated exercises, Standard Operating Procedures,
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Turning the spotlight on RED AIR uropean Air Forces will experience an increasing demand for “Red Air” and training enablers in the decades to Efollow. The need for realistic training, both in quality and numbers, in turn means that there is a need for better interoperability cooperation, and for an incremental inset of LVC (Live-Virtual-Constructive) efforts, in order to meet the requirements imposed by the mix of 4th and 5th Generation Aircraft into EAG inventories.
How do we bridge the gap? impact of the initial inset of 5th Generation fighters in The EAG is tackling this challenge in the same way that European Air Forces. This impact will require more training it strives to address other challenges: with a pragmatic to counter high-end opponents and this demand will and realistic approach. From the beginning, it has been affect not only those Air Forces already operating 5th acknowledged among SMEs from the EAG Nations and Generation fighters. On the contrary, it will - and must - partner organizations that what we call “Red Air” (and impact most of the allies in Europe, and it must also drive training enablers in general) were already in critically short a change in the way we train our forces within the NATO supply even before the latest state-of-the-art fighters environment, in order to be capable of teaming up 4th and arrived in Europe, over the last five to ten years. That is why 5th Generation fighters together in the new era of Multi- tools are needed, not for some time in the future around Domain Operations. Notably, at least for the next decade, 2022 or 2030, but to improve the training resources from around 70% - 80% of the frontline fighters in the European today onwards, associated with a plan to be developed Air Forces will continue to be 4th Generation, and even for the future, because the shortfalls will become more following the introduction of 5th Gen capabilities there will significant as time goes by. be a need for additional 4th Generation platforms that can carry and deliver more weapons. The value of Air-to-Air training between, for example, Eurofighter vs Eurofighter or Lightning vs Lightning is not In this context, the EAG is working in the short term on totally discarded, but there is a need for realistic training two main objectives: that does not burn up budgets and aircraft component - the sharing of Red Air assets, life cycles due to an inefficient use of live mutual - the development of Red Air doctrine. combat training. Sharing assets The EAG is therefore approaching these issues through In order to accomplish the first of these objectives, the a project within its Combined Air Interoperability EAG has initiated ‘HERMES’ (‘Harmonised European Red Programme (CAIP) which is titled ‘Red Forces Capabilities’, Air Means Exchange System’) as an effective and efficient addressing short term and longer-term viewpoints. tool for exchanging Red Air and training enablers among participating Air Forces. In order to keep the In the short term system as simple as possible, the EAG has taken steps We need to confront the inherited “Red Air” shortfall from to embed HERMES within an existing and successful the ‘4th Generation+’ era. But we also need to absorb the exchange mechanism, in the form of the ATARES Technical Arrangement (‘Air Transport & Air-to-Air Refuelling and other Exchanges of Services’). ATARES is a cashless exchange system that was originally created in 2001 as an EAG Project concerned with air transport operations, but was later transferred and it is now administered by the Movement Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE) based at Eindhoven in the Netherlands. By embedding HERMES within the ATARES TA, a new Red Air exchange mechanism can be made available at no cost and with the minimum of additional work, not only for the benefit of EAG nations, but also to a total of twenty seven European and NATO signatory nations that form part of the current multinational ATARES arrangement.
Red Air doctrine As for the second objective, the EAG is taking the initiative of working with the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) 100 Sqn RAF acts as red forces. and HQ Allied Air Command to potentially enable the
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American F-16’s painted in potential adversaries colours whilst acting as red forces on RED FLAG. creation of a dedicated Academic TLP Course, covering Red Force planning standards and doctrine for NATO and National planners. This work could also result in the recognition of the TLP as the official European ‘Red Air Doctrine Provider’. With this initiative, the TLP would be able to widely disseminate updated Red Force Threat Replication Standards, adversarial education, and provision of related technical parameters, with the objective of enhancing future 4th-5th Generation blue force training, through the improvement of planning for a realistic and up-to-date opposing force level of performance.
Longer term All EAG nations are currently developing or implementing their national policies and capabilities with regards to Air Forces’ future training, including LVC (Live, Virtual, Constructive) environment and synthetic mediums. Connecting these capabilities will ultimately be a prerequisite for multinational training, consequently - and related to the mid/long-term landscape (beyond 2022) – the development of an EAG common vision on future training, including an interoperable LVC European Environment, is the broader aiming point. The development of an EAG Common Vision on Future German based ‘Gesellschaft fuer Flugzieldarstellung’ (GFD) provides Training as a common, agreed target was assigned to Red Air Services support during Exercise ‘Mountain Roundup. Metternich/Luftwaffe the EAG Permanent Staff (PS) by the EAG’s seven Air Chiefs during the EAG Steering Group Meeting, in Bruges, Belgium, in June 2018. Relevant Senior staff from the EAG Nations are now working in close coordination with the We need to confront the EAG PS, through the CAIP Management Board, to develop a common vision that will provide essential context inherited “Red Air” shortfall and a central datum for future training-related projects from the ‘4th Generation+’ era. and interoperability between the EAG Air Forces and partner nations.
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5th Generation – possible collaborative opportunities?
The line between order and disorder lies in logistics. Sun Tzu
he introduction of 5th Generation fighter aircraft forever changes the dynamics of air warfare. Stealth technology T particularly brings huge advantages to those nations developing or buying these latest weapons systems. What is less obvious are the challenges presented to the ground sustainment teams supporting these aircraft fleets. The changes and challenges on the ground are as pronounced as they are in the air, and as difficult to overcome.
Currently three EAG nations (Italy, the Netherlands and A close comparison in aviation is Beechcraft, which boasts UK) are signed up as partners to the F-35 program, with over one hundred authorized service centres, more than Belgium joining shortly. The way the sustainment of one thousand service and support personnel, a world- the programme is designed, through an enterprise-led wide parts distribution system second-to-none, around approach, should in theory lend itself to multinational the clock technical support and an extensive array of field co-operation. However, many obstacles and years of support staff. However, whilst some air forces fly Beechcraft engrained thinking need to be overcome, if the available aircraft, they are predominantly used in the civilian sector, efficiencies are to be fully exploited. making the F-35 an interesting and challenging venture for all involved, especially because it is designed to be The big difference deployed on military operations worldwide. No modern air force can be frivolous with its funding. 5th Generation technology is expensive, so any nation EAG sees an opportunity buying into the capability needs to understand where The fluidity of the global spares pool, the commonality savings can be made without affecting the abilities of the of support equipment and the fact that all partner nations system. The big difference with F-35 compared with some are drawing on the same enterprise system, should in other programmes is that nations only own the aircraft theory lend itself to increased interoperability and itself. The spares held at regional warehouses (wholesale) more economies of scale than are possible with the and forward at operating bases (retail) make up a global current, disparate fleets and legacy ways of working. pool, paid into by the partner nations (PNs), but owned However, nations are generally reluctant to take risks and by the programme and retaining US ‘title’ until fitted to to cede control of their supply chains and equipment. an aircraft. The idea that this global pool of spare parts Force commanders like to know where everything is can support your aircraft, no matter where you are in the and like to be able to interrogate their engineers and world, offers a unique environment for military logisticians suppliers over the reasons for an aircraft unserviceability. to operate in - and a complete change of mindset for force commanders. The EAG’s overarching mission statement is to improve the operational capabilities of its Member Air Forces by developing and implementing initiatives to improve interoperability, primarily at tactical and operational levels. To aid this, the EAG has developed the Combined Air Interoperability Programme (CAIP) and, within the CAIP, the EAG has identified through its F-35 SMEs, a number of potential tactical level efficiencies that could benefit all F-35 Partner Nations (PN).
The current lack of interoperability between F-35 PNs relating to the ground sustainment and logistics operations, hampers the drive for tactical level efficiencies that would free up resources and offer better value for money to defence and significant potential resource Britain’s new cutting-edge F-35B aircraft, arriving at RAF Marham. savings to the F-35 Enterprise.
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Looking at ways to move forward on spare Final thoughts parts management In recent years, the United Kingdom and US Marine Currently, each PN plans its sustainment for exercises Corps have proved, at MCAS Beaufort in the USA, that and operations independently, with no agreed plan Aircraft Cross Servicing and the pooling of spares and SE to coordinate resources in the event of multinational can be carried out successfully when underpinned by a activity. This situation inherently leads to inefficiencies robust MOU, and when agreeing to work according to and increased costs, however, the EAG is in a position to one nation’s engineering regulations and airworthiness facilitate tactical level efficiencies and to coordinate standards. This is a practical example of a first step towards activity by developing Standard Operating Procedures a truly integrated future, devoid of national boundaries, (SOPs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). where logisticians of all nations can truly come together for the greater good… One solution that the EAG is looking at, is for PNs to agree a single logistics supply chain in support of joint exercises and operations from the Handover/Takeover (HO/TO) point, covering the ‘last mile’ in the sustainment chain, with one of the PNs taking control. This concept would potentially reduce the number of HO/TO points to one, reduce the stress on Air Transport (AT) fleets and cut down the number of supply chains the enterprise has to fulfil, sparing the resources of the industry partners as well as the PNs.
Allowing direct asset transfers between PNs could also significantly reduce each PN’s spares holdings and allow gaps to be filled quicker. There would be a slight risk to the PN’s individual holdings regarding back-fill timelines, and An Italian F-35A Lightning II refuelled by an Italian Air Force B767. the F-35 Enterprise would need to coordinate resupply more closely and be more reactive. Additionally, the 10% of consumable items outside of the contract could be pooled, either under multinational contracts or by asset sharing at unit level. Once a steady state had been reached, if all spares were transferred to an Enterprise-led pop-up Warehouse, this could reduce logistics footprints, reduce manpower and pass risk back to the F-35 Enterprise.
The same possible improvement goes for the Support Equipment If PNs could share Support Equipment (SE) more easily, A United Kingdom A400M training for sustainment operations. pooling the larger elements, then this could result in all PNs taking less SE on deployment. Initially this measure would only remove some redundancy without adversely The current lack of interoperability increasing risk, but as confidence in the process grew, there would be a reduction in SE footprints and more between F-35 PNs relating to the pooling of resources. The EAG has begun developing this ground sustainment and logistics concept already for its Eurofighter Typhoon Interoperability operations, hampers the drive Project nations (Germany, Italy, Spain and the United for tactical level efficiencies that Kingdom) through the development of a SE compatibility would free up resources and offer matrix. This principle could also be achieved for the F-35 community through an SOP or MOU developed by EAG. better value for money to defence As with the sharing of spares, the sharing of SE would and significant potential resource reduce logistics footprints and manpower. However, savings to the F-35 Enterprise. implementing this process would require a ‘leap of faith’ between nations and a prioritisation of assets.
13 Annual Report 2019
‘The times they are a changing’ ince bicycle manufactures the Wright Brothers made the first heavier than air powered flight at Kitty Hawk on S17 December 1903, the supply of spare parts to aircraft engineers has been an ever evolving and contentious issue. Throughout the 20th Century, logisticians were hampered by outdated methods and archaic systems, designed in the early days of flight and never updated to meet modern demands or match new thinking.
During the Cold War, most national defence organisations the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) largest weapons operated a variety of platforms, many homegrown, most procurement programme in terms of total estimated supported by vast warehouses full of spare parts which acquisition and sustainment cost and, for the first time, the could sit on shelves for years, some requiring maintenance US has invited its allies to participate in a programme at or indeed conceivably going beyond their life expectancy; various levels, and to contribute towards the cost of design this was termed ‘just in case’ - and was common practice. and development. Changes in thinking coincided with the end of the Cold War, when strategies had to change. The Western This change has also involved a radical shift in the economies could no longer afford to sustain these levels of sustainment of the whole weapon system, moving to defence spending and the clamour for a ‘peace dividend’ a global support network, underpinned by the contractors led to a search for new methods of procurement and, and supported by the US Services and partner nations more importantly, sustainment. Nations had to look for (PNs). There has been a fundamental move away from the smarter ways of operating. More coalition exercises and Cold War legacy of stockpiles of spare parts, to a leaner operations were undertaken, but these still involved approach involving regional warehouses and a global a number of disparate aircraft coming together; each distribution network that aims to deliver to anywhere requiring their own, bespoke support equipment, let alone across the globe. Military organizations are now faced spare parts. with a massive paradigm shift, one which personnel at all levels are now having to address. The propensity and Bob Dylan wrote ‘the times they are a changing’ and prevalence of reliance on legacy systems, and in some that is certainly true in the aerospace market and in areas the resistance to move to the new automated particular the defence sector. The last twenty years have paperless system is concerning. seen a radical shift in thinking. Aerospace and defence companies on both sides of the Atlantic have had to look This is where the problems begin: procurement for partnering opportunities with their rivals. The F-35 is collaboration deals in military aviation are not new, western governments have long been involved in collaborative ‘juste retour’ or work-share arrangements. These are normally negotiated at governmental level and involve a pro-rata distribution of production and supply. The Panavia Tornado was developed and manufactured in partnership by Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, whilst the Eurofighter Typhoon was developed by the multinational Alenia Aermacchi from Italy, BAe Systems from the United Kingdom and EADS (now Airbus Industries), in a collaboration also involving Spain. However, the sustainment thinking behind these programmes was still the legacy Cold War idea of stockpiling parts from spares inclusive contracts (Tornado) and contracting for availability (CfA) (Typhoon). The F-35 introduces not only the USA to the partnership, but also the idea of contracting for capability (CfC) - outsourcing not just spares management, but the ownership and responsibility for them as well. This has not been an easy and straightforward journey. Military organisations are not known for their love of change. Lean and Kaizan principles have been adopted in some areas, but some resistance - while futile, given the march of progress - The original ‘Lightning’ fighter aircraft. remains in place.
14 European Air Group
FROM JIT TO SCM Diagram 1 (below) shows how defence organizations have y travelled up the Transformation Staircase, through new COLLABORATIVE - Collaborative synchronize all ways of sustainment over the last 50 years. Supply Chains , and exibilit aspects ies Supply Chain Optimization
Increased apabilit Supplier Strategic Alliances OPTIMIZED - improve Contracting for collaboration and control with Capability Supplier Managed suppliers and customers Replenishment
Contracting for Increasing benets,Supplier c Availability Partnerships INTEGRATED - integrate functions of the existing supply chain Spares Inclusive Quick Response Supplier
Just in Time FUNDAMENTAL - the beginning Traditional 1980 1980 2000 2008 Diagram 2: From JIT to SCM. Provider DE&S Decider
Diagram 1: The Transformational Staircase. The F-35 offers great opportunities for collaborative working between nations on exercises and operations. This model defines what sort of outsourced arrangements These must be grasped and exploited by those involved, in are in place or planned and thus how they may be order for everyone to move forward and more importantly managed. It moves from traditional organic support, realise the potential economies of scale. through spares inclusive maintenance arrangements, to contracted platform availability (CfA) and eventually whole platform capability (CfC). Progression along the transformation staircase should result in the contractor accepting the risk for delivery of the capability and My logisticians are a sustaining the aircraft in a total sense. humourless lot … they know In addition to the transformational staircase, Diagram 2 if my campaign fails, they (top right), shows how military organisations have are the first ones I will slay. transitioned from Just-in-Time, the ‘en vogue’ supply solution of the 1980s, through a more integrated Alexander the Great approach, to finally reach the collaborative approach we witness today in the F-35 Programme.
The F-35 production line – Lockheed Martin - at Fort Worth in Texas. © REUTERS/Lockheed Martin/Randy A. Crites
15 Annual Report 2019
The Interoperable MALE 1 RPAS 2 ISR 3 Training (IMRIT) – innovative, low cost, multinational Networked Synthetic Training
Vision is the art of seeing the invisible. Jonathan Swift
he increasing use of RPAS has led to a number of different platforms entering service across Air Forces Tworldwide. In the European Theatre of Operations alone, there are dozens of types in service, ranging from hand-held micro-UAV models through to armed ISR platforms such as MQ-9 Reaper. Differing standards of employment and training exist across the EAG Member Nations, and the establishment of a network of MALE RPAS operators is vital to ensure interoperability during future joint operations.
Throughout 2016 and 2017, scoping work undertaken been done collaboratively, utilising funding and oversight by the EAG and the European Defence Agency (EDA), from the EDA, technical expertise from DCI and Diginext, in cooperation with the French Defence Conseil and coordination and project management initiatives from International (DCI) and their partner contractor Diginext, the EAG Permanent Staff (PS). led to the development of the RPAS Training Technology Demonstrator (RTTD). Effectively, this system is a PC-based Building the network generic MALE RPAS simulator, designed to provide low The strengths of the RTTD system lie in its abilities to cost, high quality RPAS training. Utilising the RTTD, the deliver networked training at extremely low cost (the total IMRIT project, which is the EAG component, has sought budget for the project from 2016-2020 will not exceed to establish a network of ten participating nations (all of €800,000). The IMRIT project is predicated upon the the EAG Nations plus the Czech Republic, Greece and installation in each national RPAS School, including three Poland) with the aim of conducting joint networked Centres of Excellence, of the RTTD desktop PC equipment training exercises, sharing of best practices and developing together with the supporting communications and interoperability amongst the participants. This task has network architecture. The programme of RTTD equipment
IMRIT Workshop, RAF High Wycombe, UK, November 2018.
1 Medium Altitude Long Endurance. 2 Remotely Piloted Air System. 3 Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance. 16 European Air Group
installation took place during the course of 2018 and early and enable them to conduct a real-time, synthetic 2019, with the last terminals being installed at Schleswig surveillance exercise based upon Maritime, Middle East Air Base in Germany from 6 to 8 February 2019. and African Desert mission scenarios. As the users become more familiar with the equipment and its In parallel, in November 2018 the first IMRIT Workshop strengths, it is intended to conduct more regular, higher was held at RAF High Wycombe, assembling experts from intensity networked training throughout 2020. Of note, the participating nations, to agree on the development a number of users have also expressed an intent to of the Training Manual for the system. This workshop led utilise the equipment in the selection and training of to the nomination of three EAG nations - France, Italy and sensor operators for manned surveillance aircraft. Spain - as the lead partners in 2019 for the development and production of training material and, most importantly, Broader applications all participants began to develop the network of pan- The IMRIT project offers a unique, extremely low cost, European MALE RPAS operators. timely opportunity to establish a pan-European network of MALE RPAS operators. With input from the lead partners The training plan and other participating nations, the scope exists to ensure Utilising the equipment installed in each of the 10 that, however RPAS operations develop in future, a solid locations 4, it is intended (user operational requirements basis of trust, cooperation and interoperability will be permitting) to run a series of short networked training present. But the IMRIT project has broader implications. exercises throughout the course of 2019 in order to With the reliance on synthetic training increasing in evaluate the system, prove connectivity and develop many air forces, IMRIT is developing into an innovative working practices prior to commencing a multinational template for national and interoperability collaborative EAG ‘VOLCANEX’ exercise in November 2019. training, which could be applied affordably to many other The VOLCANEX IMRIT will connect teams of nations capabilities, among multinational networks of participants.
IMRIT Terminal, showing Pilot Workstation (L) and Sensor Op (R). IMRIT Terminal in situ at ESP AF Escola de UAS, Salamanca Air Base, Spain.
The strengths of the IMRIT system lie in its abilities to deliver networked training at extremely low cost…
4 Salon de Provence AB, FRA; Amendola AB, ITA; Salamanca AB, ESP; Leeuwarden AB, NLD; Miroslawiec AB, POL; Larissa AB, GRC; Prostejov AB, CZE; Florennes AB, BEL; RAF Waddington, GBR and Schleswig AB, DEU. 17 Annual Report 2019
Striking in a highly contested environment – the Air Launched Cruise Missile Project
Where absolute superiority is not attainable, you must produce a relative one at the decisive point by making skilful use of what you have. General Carl von Clausewitz
ith the increasing proliferation of highly advanced, integrated and networked Air Defence Systems, the use Wof Stand-off weapons is becoming more and more a focus area for air campaigns. In 2017, the European Air Group established an ‘Air Launched Cruise Missile’ (ALCM) Project in order to improve the planning processes for the participating nations and to synchronize them with NATO campaign planning.
Within the EAG, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Building the foundations United Kingdom are able to employ Conventional Air- Based on the initial advances achieved in 2017, the ALCM launched Cruise Missiles (CALCM). While most of the project aimed in 2018 to develop a ‘Planning guide for planning and employment of the SCALP EG, STORM CALCMs’, which strives to synchronize national procedures SHADOW and TAURUS missiles remain a national with NATO air campaign planning. responsibility, it is highly probable that the use of such weapons will be done at least in a coordinated To establish a robust network between the participating way between coalition nations, and even as part of an nations’ missile planners and to gain knowledge about integrated air campaign. Hence, integrating such effectors the different national planning processes, the EAG used in an air offensive mission requires synchronisation the framework of the Spanish Air Force’s ‘TAUREX’, a with other conventional support assets, as well as national Stand-off missiles exercise, and adapted this to implementation into airspace coordination means. enable a multinational Command Post Exercise (CPX).
After the storm – specialists from France, Germany, Spain and the EAG Permanent Staff relax after the CPX in 2018.
18 European Air Group
Following a workshop at the Combined Air Operations knowledge of the challenges involved in the employment Centre (CAOC) Uedem, Germany, together with of Stand-off weapons. Adding the finishing touches preparations made by the Spanish national Air Combat to the Planning Guide and rehearsing its contents in Air Command (MACOM), an EAG ALCM CPX was planned a multinational exercise will be the main focus for this for the end of April 2018. project during this coming year.
Command Post Exercise For now, this evolution determines the project’s end The three-day CPX was conducted with German, French point, however, depending on the results of work this year and Spanish elements at the Spanish MACOM and the there is the option that the Planning Guide could then lay NATO CAOC at Torrejon AB, Spain. Accompanied by the baseline for a NATO-developed Standard Operating observers from Italy and the NATO Headquarters Air Procedure (SOP). Command (NATO HQ AIRCOM) the training audience was able to build a coordinated and synchronized Stand- off attack against a robust Air Defence System. Using reach-back procedures to the national mission planning centres in their respective countries, a comprehensive and effective attack plan using German TAURUS, Spanish TAURUS and French SCALP EG CALCMs was built. This exercise identified the challenges involved in the employment of different weapon systems, and in overcoming different planning processes and timelines.
Using the Lessons Identified during this CPX, the EAG’s ALCM Project Team developed a ‘Planning Guide for A German Air Force Tornado takes to the skies, carrying TAURUS missiles. CALCM’, which is presently being reviewed by the participating nations and subject matter experts within NATO. By involving the USAF Joint Effects Team out of Ramstein AB, Germany and experiences gained during the NATO Exercise Trident Juncture 2018, this comprehensive planning guide is being developed to support air campaign planners at national and NATO CAOC-level, and it should be available in the first half of 2019.
Way Ahead While the ALCM Project is already strengthening a strong and increasing network among the CALCM bearing EAG nations, the close connections to NATO HQ AIRCOM and A French Air Force Rafale taxies out for a coalition operational strike the US Joint Effects Team are enhancing the visibility and mission in April 2018, after a thorough combined planning phase between contributing nations.
…it is highly probable that the use of such weapons will be done at least in a coordinated way between coalition nations, and even as part of an integrated air campaign.
19 Annual Report 2019
EAG Aviation Medicine – developing a new way to collaborate
A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses. Hippochrates
ince 2001, the European Air Group has been implementing the Aviation Medicine (AvMed) Project, which Sis aimed at improving and increasing effectiveness in the rapidly-evolving AvMed field by facilitating interoperability between participating nations.
the EAG Nations, but also from several associated partner nations. For example, as well as students from France, Germany and Italy, the 14th Advanced AvMed Course, which took place in 2018, included students from three non-EAG nations: Czech Republic, Sweden and the USA. The 14th Course also marked a milestone achievement for the EAG, as the doctor from the Czech Republic who was the first student to attend from that nation, was also the 100th student to have graduated since the AvMed courses first began.
Dedicated Webpage The EAG Permanent Staff and the AvMed CB have collaborated to create a dedicated website, in order to provide the aeromedical community with an instrument The 100th student to complete the EAG produced AvMed course. for exchanging information, sharing knowledge and coordinating activities. The AvMed website is hosted Aviation Medicine structure within the EAG’s Extranet site, which is managed by The Project is supported by the AvMed Technical the EAG Permanent Staff in support of a range of EAG Arrangement (TA) which was signed in 2005, in order to projects. The AvMed site includes all the projects, activities provide an agreed framework for cooperation between and deliverables discussed and approved by the CB, the EAG Air Forces. The high-level committee that and represents an invaluable exchange tool and a step coordinates and manages all projects under the TA is the forward for strengthening the interoperability amongst the AvMed Coordination Board (EAG AvMed CB) comprised of participating nations. specialist representatives from each participating nation. Building on the AvMed website’s versatile capability for The Board meets twice each year at various locations enhancing information sharing and communications on a rotational basis, and is a central policy-making and across the aeromedical community, the AvMed CB is activity body in what is a highly successful and mature considering the possibility of expanding its use to interoperability domain for the EAG. The AvMed TA include a larger audience, such as former graduates of also provides the EAG with a vehicle for managing the the EAG Advanced AvMed Course, Senior Flight Surgeons, Advanced Aviation Medicine Course, which has been designated Subject Matter Experts and the heads of established to provide Senior Medical Officers with national AvMed Centres. exposure to the latest developments in AvMed, with a focus on doctrine and policy, in preparation for Future vision – a virtual network performing higher-level Staff duties. This initiative is a valuable starting point for a vision to establish a future Virtual Network that will be able to inter- Advanced Training connect AvMed experts, as well as the specialized AvMed As an indication of the impact and relevance of the AvMed centres of the EAG Nations. The Network could become Course, it now trains senior medical staff not only from a perfect tool for understanding the differences and
20 European Air Group
The AvMed Network could become a perfect tool for understanding the differences and similarities between national AvMed practises and making nations more interoperable.
German AvMed staff putting procedures into practice. similarities between national AvMed practises and making nations more interoperable. Additionally, it would create As a thread through all of its projects, the EAG AvMed a new forum for discussions, which could be conducted community’s vision is therefore to establish a Virtual dynamically and with full participation. This process AvMed Network that will help to harmonise medical would provide users with access to an expanding pool of standards, develop novel ways of teaching and bring into knowledge and comparison of points in common, and it line the training of aircrew and medical personnel, all at could also establish a documentation repository in case of reduced cost and savings in manpower, for the benefit factual inquiries about Av Med policies and procedures. of all stakeholders.
The Av Med home page on the EAG’s Extranet website
21 Annual Report 2019
Fuel – a shared resource
Fuel is like liquid altitude. The only time you have too much is when you’re on fire. Anonymous
The beginnings Procedures and Training n 2012, the EAG Nations developed and signed the More recently, EAG PS drafted the EAG Multinational Ifirst Fuel Support Technical Arrangement which led FARP SOPs, which were validated by EAG national Subject to the creation of a Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant (POL) Matter Experts and were subsequently endorsed at the Interoperability Catalogue, together with Forward Working Group level. Notably, they were implemented Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) and Bulk Fuel successfully during NATO Exercise Trident Juncture Installation (BFI) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). in October 2018, used by Italy and the United States Marine Corps during the LIVEX component. Additionally, a Since these early steps, the EAG Permanent Staff (PS) total of ten nations, including the Host Nation Norway, has also paid close attention to the activities of NATO participated in the ‘MCPU Norway’ designated for Multinational Combined Petroleum Unit (MCPU) which the Exercise. stems from Smart Defence 1.19 Project and a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed in March 2017 by eight nations, which Additionally, linked with the development of the FARP include six EAG Members, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, SOPs, the EAG has developed the Force Integration Spain and the United Kingdom, along with Lithuania and Training (FIT) Syllabus, with the aim of providing practical, the USA. The Modular Combined Petroleum Capability multinational knowledge, a means of standardizing Coordination Board (MCPC CB) is the Governance body for procedures and a forum for sharing experiences. MCPU development and operational use, and the MCPU The concept behind the FIT is that it should be delivered concept will be covered by a NATO STANAG and included to multinational refuelling personnel at the beginning in the next edition of the NATO Logistics Handbook. of an exercise or deployed operation, to standardize
An EAG Fuel Workshop in 2018.
22 European Air Group
the refuelling procedures that follow. The knowledge The way ahead gained from the FIT can then be applied by ground The next milestone for EAG was the FARP FIT, scheduled personnel and aircrew to ensure that refuelling can take to take place in May at Zaragoza Air Base in Spain, place in the most expeditious manner and under ‘Hot’ under the umbrella of the EPRC APROC 19 live exercise. refuel conditions, with helicopter engines running and Unfortunately, due to the EAG relying on other entities rotors turning. conducting exercises, this FARP FIT had to be cancelled. As well as the APROC series, which are excellent test Putting theory into practise beds for improving the FARP SOPs and FIT Syllabus, both The EAG delivered its second FIT course for FARP personnel products can benefit personnel from EAG Nations for any in 2018, building on experience gained the previous exercise or operation. Additionally, their use by the USMC year, when the new training syllabus was initially drafted during Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE in 2018 demonstrates and established. The initial FARP FIT Syllabus was used their wider potential and applicability among other and tested during the Air-Centric Personnel Recovery partner nations. The EAG will therefore continue to refine Operatives’ Course (APROC) hosted at the Gilze Rijen Air and develop these products and link with partner nations, Base in the Netherlands, from 22 to 24 May 2018, and NATO and other multinational organizations, to ensure organized by the European Personnel Recovery Centre that the EAG fuel products are available for use, kept up (EPRC). A total of twenty-four refuelling personnel from to date and that synergies are exploited fully. France, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom benefitted from the training.
Subsequently, an EAG Fuel Workshop hosted by the The knowledge gained (…) can Italian Air Force was organized by the EAG PS on 3 October then be applied by ground 2018 in Rome and was attended by specialists from France, personnel and aircrew to ensure Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. During this that refuelling can take place Workshop, the specialists discussed updates to the EAG in the most expeditious manner Multinational Fuel SOPs, exchanged information to identify common, tactical, fuel-related interoperability issues, and and under ‘Hot’ refuel conditions, considered future EAG fuel-related interoperability tasks. with helicopter engines Other aspects of fuel support and Lessons Learned were running and rotors turning. also discussed, concerning operations in Mali, Exercise Trident Juncture 2018 and FARP operations.
Italian aircrew brief multinational personnel on refuelling techniques.
23 Annual Report 2019
Interoperability in Force Protection – as relevant as ever!
Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied. Alexander the Great
ack in June 2002, EAG Nations agreed to build a new Force Protection (FP) community by signing the ’Survive Bto Operate and Force Protection in the field of Air Force activity’ Technical Arrangement, known as the ‘STOX TA’. Under its umbrella, the EAG Nations and Norway, which later joined the EAG Nations in this domain, collaborate to promote and facilitate training and exercises, as well as personnel and information exchanges in the fields of Survive to Operate and Force Protection (STO/FP).
In the heat of the battle - a VOLCANEX FP C2 command post in action. Norwegian and United Kingdom FP personnel turning plans into action.
In order to enhance a common understanding of that the EAG will conceive/conceptualize a FP Command capabilities and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) Post (FP CP) Course, focussing on tactical level roles and the EAG organizes EAG FP seminars and VOLCANEX FP functions. The EAG Nations have agreed to share the Command and Control (C2) Command Post Exercises burden for providing lecturers and for hosting this course (CPX). The 2018 editions of these activities are described on a rotational basis. The inventory phase for gathering in separate articles. Besides these activities, the FP the subject lecturer proposals from the Nations ended in Team within the EAG’s Permanent Staff (PS) is executing January 2019, after which the allocation of subjects to the several other actions to improve FP interoperability. Nations and the syllabus writing phase began. These measures include an advanced course for FP C2 personnel, working with the Nations on the Standardization of FP documents standardization of FP documents, facilitating exchanges The Lessons Identified during previous VOLCANEX FP of information about countering Unmanned Aerial C2 CPX exercises have shown that there is a need for Systems (C-UAS) and contributing to work on 5th a generic FP Command Post (CP) layout, standardized Generation Security Requirements, as part of the EAG’s definitions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Combined Air Interoperability Programme (CAIP). Job Descriptions (JDs) for personnel working in a combined FP CP. Also, during VOLCANEX FP C2 CPX 18 Training Course for FP C2 personnel it was noticed that supplementary JDs and updated The development of training courses for FP C2 personnel SOPs were needed, as well as FP Status Boards and is being conducted in collaboration with the Joint Air a Risk Assessment tool that leads into a Risk Matrix. Power Competence Centre (JAPCC). Whilst the JAPCC is Consequently, and with agreement of the STOX TA developing a FP Planning Course, it has been decided members, EAG Permanent Staff (PS) are transforming a
24 European Air Group
former FP standardization project into a new, broader the issues involved, the EAG FP Team is liaising with F-35 project that includes the additional products mentioned Nations, USAFE and other organizations, including the Air above, along with a periodic review process. Forces Interoperability Council (AFIC).
Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems For any complementary information, feel Globally, the increasing number of incidents involving free to contact the EAG FP Team Leader INFO Lt Col GS Karl Haeringer (KHaeringer@ easily available, small scale UAS have revealed a security euroairgroup.org) or the EAG FP Team via gap for critical installations such as airports, nuclear BOX email [email protected] power plants or military installations. To counter this situation, the EAG has created a dedicated forum to exchange essential information between the Nations and, to supplement this forum, in 2018 the EAG launched a new, IT-based exchange platform hosted on the EAG SharePoint. The EAG is also contributing to the editing of a JAPCC Counter Unmanned Systems ‘Think-Piece’ that provides a conceptual framework for future work. In 2019, the main effort will be to ’Prepare the Force’ by exploiting the emerging information to produce new TTPs.
5th Generation security requirements As part of the CAIP, the EAG FP Team is investigating the possible additional security challenges that may result from the introduction of 5th Generation air platforms. This work aims to ensure the seamless integration of 5th Generation platforms into the Air FP footprint, thereby ensuring effective and continued Air FP planning and execution. In order to gain a better understanding of
An FP dog proving that its bite is worse than its bark.
ITA FP personnel conducting a detention and search exercise.
25 Annual Report 2019
Gaining a better insight … Force Protection Seminar
The only source of knowledge is experience. Albert Einstein
he EAG organises a Force Protection (FP) Seminar every year where representatives are invited to brief and Tdiscuss about national capabilities, to share operational experiences and to inform the audience about new developments within partner organization NATO’s Air FP branch. This year the Seminar was held at Orange Air Base, France, from 09 to 11 Oct 2018, where representatives from the EAG Nations FP team, Norwegian Air FP representatives, Air Force Interoperability Council (AFIC) representatives and HQ AIRCOM A3 FP representatives met to share best practices and ideas.
Seminar schedule Day 2 was organized by ‘le Centre de Préparation On Day 1, after a presentation from the EAG PS about Opérationnelle du Combattant de l’Armée de l’Air’ the ongoing projects, the EAG Nations were invited to (CPOCAA, i.e. the FRA AF Warrior’s Operational present their national Air FP organisation and a dedicated Preparation Centre) and ‘le Commando parachutiste Air FP capability briefing with an emphasis on Chemical, de l’air 20’ (CPA 20) and consisted of a dynamic Close Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats (CBRN). The Quarter Combat (CQC) demonstration and a static briefings were to familiarise an audience that ranged from display of CPA 20 Air FP equipment. Non-Commissioned Officers to Staff Officers, with other national organizations and Air FP capabilities, and also to Close Quarter Combat generate discussions and identify challenges that may The CQC demonstration started with multiple scenarios be nation-specific or possibly subject to receive help by that a CPA member might be confronted with during another nation. operations (overseas and homeland) such as being
French FP personnel agree tactics.
26 European Air Group
attacked at close quarters by an individual with a knife Next steps or another tool. CQC is gaining increasing importance The next Seminar is scheduled to take place in Italy when training the commandos, according to the CPA 20 in June 2019. In addition to providing their capability staff. This is not only because of the close quarter nature briefing updates, the Nations will present a briefing on of the threat they are likely to face during operations, but the theme of: ‘Force Protection challenges when facing also because it provides the operators with an extra level a crisis in peace time operation and cooperation with of confidence. civilian organizations’.
During the static display, all of the seminar attendants As a conclusion - and as confirmed by the participants - were invited to see and handle the equipment used by the FP Seminar remains an ideal forum in which nations CPA 20, including enhanced vision devices (day & night), can improve their understanding of other nations’ radio transmission means, small weapons, rifles and capabilities and challenges. This process not only enables vehicles, and they also interacted with the personnel key lessons to be shared, but will also continue to qualified to operate each device. strengthen and build an international network within the Air FP community. The last day of the Seminar was dedicated to national presentations on topics chosen by the presenters and For any complementary information, feel also multinational presentations by NATO and AFIC. INFO free to contact the Cdt Pierre Gillet (PGillet@ This setting offered the opportunity to discuss various euroairgroup.org) or the EAG FP Team via BOX email [email protected] mutual activities such as Airfield Damage Repair (ADR), Air Mobile Protection Teams (AMPT), threat and vulnerability assessments, and military working dogs.
Outcome Save the date! The next FP The EAG FP Seminar is an opportunity for junior Non- Seminar will be hosted by ITA Commissioned Officers and Officers to broaden their AF in June 2019 with further network in the international FP community and it also details to be released soon. provides them with a valuable insight into the roles of other organizations in the FP domain. The feed-back and The community is looking comments from the participants in last year’s EAG FP forward to lively exchanges Seminar were enthusiastic and confirmed that the on the agreed theme of the Seminar provides a unique opportunity for FP specialists EAG FP Seminar 2019. to network and discuss challenges.
Which one to choose? A “Show and tell” demonstration of FP weapons and capabilities.
27 Annual Report 2019
Force Protection training – permanent effort to bolster cohesion
Quality is not an act, it is a habit. Aristotle
OLCANEX’ is the umbrella title for European Air Group (EAG) exercises, which are intended to introduce, test Vand refine EAG products in a multinational environment. These exercises are important tools for promoting interoperability and standardization amongst the EAG Nations; and for the Force Protection (FP) community the VOLCANEX FP exercises are the main opportunities for testing and training multinational (Air) FP procedures within Europe.
The 2018 edition of the VOLCANEX FP exercise series was bring significant, common benefits to future exercises organised and hosted at RAF Honington in the United and operations. Kingdom from 30 April to 11 May 2018. This VOLCANEX consisted of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) supported A total of one hundred and fifteen FP personnel took by the state-of-the-art GBR Royal Air Force (RAF) Synthetic part in VOLCANEX FP C2 CPX 2018, including the exercise Complex Air Ground Environment (S-CAGE) training training audience and support staff from all of the EAG facility, located in the RAF FP Centre. Nations and partner nation Norway. The participants received practical training and gained valuable experience Putting theory into practise from working in a simulated Air FP Command Post (CP) In order to provide structure for this CPX, the FP Command and they were constantly mentored by training staff and Control Think Piece, which was jointly produced by during the exercise play. the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) and the EAG in 2018, was put into action together with an EAG- Exercise setup produced set of Standard Operating Instructions. Both The 2018 exercise consisted of two identical training of these initiatives proved to be highly effective and will weeks of five days each, during which the intensity of
The S-CAGE ‘red team’ room at RAF Honington, GBR.
28 European Air Group
‘Training audience’ personnel in S-CAGE facility at RAF Honington, GBR. the scenario was progressively increased. To maximise that was successfully used for the 2018 exercise, however the training capabilities and enhance the interoperability profiting of the lessons identified from the 2018 edition, amongst the participants, each training week saw which are being incorporated in the 2019 scenario. participation from all nations. Furthermore, the EAG Permanent Staff (PS) are producing a new set of Job Descriptions for use and testing during The exercise was based on a Baltic Air Policing scenario, the 2019 exercise, adding to the growing list of advances which was a step change from the Afghanistan focused in the EAG’s FP domain. scenarios used in previous years and presented new and relevant challenges to the training audience. Also, some For any information, feel free to contact emerging threats, such as the use of Unmanned Aerial INFO Maj Joergen Schade (JSchade@euroair Systems and Cyber Warfare elements were incorporated group.org) or the EAG FP Team via email BOX [email protected] in the training scenario, thus improving the realism of the exercise. This modernization of the scenario, threats and incidents was highly appreciated by the participating nations and demonstrates the versatility of these EAG exercises.
VOLCANEX 2019 The preparations for the 2019 iteration of the VOLCANEX The VOLCANEX FP CPX 2019 takes FP exercise are already well under way. The exercise setup place on 06-17 May 2019 at FPC will again be a CPX with a simulated Command Post, RAF Honington, GBR; the Post which the RAF is again hosting in the S-CAGE facility at Exercise Discussion is planned RAF Honington. During the VOLCANEX FP 2019 Initial Planning Conference at the EAG HQ on the 5th of for 03 Jul 2019 at the EAG HQ. December 2018, the National FP Representatives agreed to use the same two-week exercise framework and scenario
29 Annual Report 2019 How CIS impacts the OODA Loop
The only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the library. Albert Einstein
he Observe, Orientate, Decide and Act (OODA) loop first developed by military strategist USAF Col John Boyd, Tis a well-known concept utilized in military operations. The EAG is working to ensure that the OODA Loop and other decision-making processes are fully supported during multinational operations by robust Communication and Information Systems (CIS) procedures.
In an ever-changing technological world, where for many years Moore’s law1 has predicted the doubling of the average transistor number of a chip every two years, the requirement to support modern day military operations and assets with CIS capabilities is ever growing. Tactical and operational Air requirements and planning within the OODA Loop are based on huge and detailed data movements that require ‘real time’, ‘near real time’ or ‘non-real time’ exchanges of information packets between surface systems and air assets, and between air assets.
A Mamba CIS system operating in Al Amarah, Iraq.
Making information available The EAG is working to address problems that occur when national technical CIS solutions are applied in a multinational context, in which there may be friction or a lack of compatibility between CIS systems in a deployed environment. Initially, many of the challenges can be German personnel run diagnostics on a deployed radar system. solved at the tactical level, by coordinating the activities of CIS operatives to achieve technical solutions. To enable The multinational challenge this process, the EAG has developed thirteen central CIS In such a complex operating environment, each nation catalogues containing information about subjects ranging generally relies on its own national CIS assets. While this from CIS tactical interoperability through to deployable principle works well when a nation deploys independently, communication and navigation systems. increasingly nations must prepare to deploy as part of a coalition. In CIS terms, this prospect presents significant However, this work has resulted in another challenge, challenges. During multinational operations the efficiency as the EAG’s CIS information needs to be made readily of the OODA Loop depends on how well (or poorly) the available to participating nations. As a solution, the EAG participating nations cooperate together. This level of Permanent Staff (PS) has introduced three separate IT cooperation will depend on the ability of the participating platforms on the EAG’s Extranet website, which is an nations to weave together the necessary procedures externally accessible IT-based workspace that the EAG has and equipment used to convey, receive and process developed for promoting interoperability and solutions information. This is rarely a simple task: there are across a range of projects. As with all technical information, sometimes considerable differences between the frequent reviews and updates are required, to maintain types of CIS equipment and procedures used by and improve its utility. During 2019, for example, the different nations. CIS Team in the EAG’s PS is in the process of updating
1 Gordon Moore is a co-founder of Intel Corporation
30 European Air Group
three of the thirteen EAG CIS information documents, agreed between participants from Belgium, Germany, in collaboration with CIS specialists from all seven EAG Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The Lessons Learned from nations. When complete, the latest information will be VOLCANEX CIS 2019 will be shared with all EAG Nations made available instantly to EAG CIS specialists, using the and the exercise will also provide a new opportunity for EAG Extranet. training CIS technicians how to operate in a multinational, deployed environment. CIS Community The EAG has also established a multinational CIS When combined, the EAG’s CIS activities provide community, which is supported by CIS workshops and valuable multinational focal points for improving CIS meetings. At these forums, national specialists meet interoperability. More EAG CIS seminars and workshops together to deconflict and provide solutions for CIS are planned, but the introduction of the VOLCANEX CIS interoperability and look ahead to scope the impact of this year is a new step that could lead to the development new technologies and procedures. Currently, the EAG of multinational procedures, forms of training and other is working to enhance interoperability across Internet productive activities in this essential domain. Protocol (IP) networks, Radios and Satcom.
VOLCANEX and beyond A key step forward has been the initiation of a new VOLCANEX CIS exercise, as a vehicle for developing and Our network is our testing procedures, identifying equipment shortfalls and weapons platform. developing new strategies for making improvements. Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone, The VOLCANEX CIS 2019 exercise is scheduled take place at Woendsrecht Airbase in the Netherlands, in July 2019 U.S Cyber Command and a detailed testing and exercise schedule has been
German Air Force personnel maintaining deployed database systems.
31 Annual Report 2019
EAG Cyber – building on national Cyber defence to support multinational cooperation
An image depicting Cyber action by a non-state sponsored entity. ©Gorodenkoff - stock.adobe.com
he reliance on ‘Cyber’ technologies has been increasing globally at an exponential rate for many years. Since the TNATO Warsaw Summit in 2016, Cyber has been regarded as a distinct military domain and Cyber issues are now very much in the spotlight among the EAG Air Forces.
Most nations are building ‘Cybersecurity’ capabilities, impact of Cyber threats on air-specific activities including which include Cyber defence, Cyber protection and Cyber daily civilian and military air traffic management (ATM) resilience. There is also a growing acceptance among some tasks. The need to consider Cyber defence in the context nations that, in order for Cybersecurity to be effective in of ATM is also of concern to the European Defence a military context, offensive Cyber capabilities must also Agency (EDA) and, as a result, both EAG and EDA Cyber be developed. However, while military Cyber capabilities specialists are cooperating to assess the threats and and awareness are growing rapidly at a national level, the propose solutions. process of addressing Cyber capabilities at a multinational level is still ‘work in progress’. The development of a Additionally, legacy air assets, weapons and systems could multinational understanding in this domain is crucial, to present vulnerabilities due to obsolescence, which could prevent the effects of damaging Cyber-attacks on one or generate additional Cyber risks. The risks associated with more nations potentially spreading to impact on other legacy equipment must be addressed in coordination with allies. In this context, multinational cooperation in Cyber manufacturers, while the Cyber risks associated with using defence is the only sensible option. new equipment require air forces to control the quality of the products and services delivered by industry. When the Cyber in the air domain types of equipment concerned are used by more than NATO has been engaged in Cyber defence for some time, one nation, a multinational approach to engaging with and has introduced a variety of initiatives. In order to build industry would make the task of addressing Cyber risks on this work and better understand how Cyber capabilities more cohesive. may be linked among its Member Nations, the EAG has established a Cyber community as a focal point for Cyber Shield exploring Cyber from the perspective of the air domain. An efficient Cyber defence structure is based on a solid Cyber organisation, populated both by Cyber subject Although Cyber is not limited to the air domain, for the matter experts and non-Cyber experts, who have been EAG Air Forces there are particular concerns about the suitably educated and trained. EAG nations have more
32 European Air Group
training for Force Protection (FP) personnel during the EAG ‘VOLCANEX’ Force Protection exercises. During the VOLCANEX FP 2019 exercise, this training will require FP personnel to respond to simulated Cyber incidents, which will be introduced as additional embedded challenges while they carry out other tasks within the FP training schedule. This approach will not only train FP personnel how to respond to Cyber incidents, but will also encourage Cyber defence to be viewed as ‘normal business’ and part of the overall military tool kit. A graphic generated by tracking internet traffic around the globe. (c) iptransitx.com Way ahead Based on the developments in 2018, the EAG PS is or less built up their own Cybersecurity capabilities, working collaboratively with Cyber specialists from the Cyber organizations, Cyber concepts and doctrine, seven EAG nations, to deepen their engagement in this Cyber education and training, and also developed Cyber domain in cooperation with specialists from the EDA, profiles for specific tasks. Many of these national Cyber NATO HQ Allied Air Command and the Joint Air Power structures are effectively composed of layers, including Competence Centre. In particular, the EAG PS is focussing the joint forces layer and the air force layer. on three elements:
Together with other organizations, including NATO and • Strengthening the EAG Cyber network through the the EDA, the EAG is concentrating on the development of use of workshops, meetings and other methods; a ‘Cyber Shield’. Conceptually, multinational cooperation can help the EAG Nations to define and calibrate the • Introducing Cyber training into exercises, beginning multinational “surface layer” of the Cyber Shield, while with the VOLCANEX FP series; simultaneously national efforts can contribute to the thickness of the underlying defensive structures. In • Developing EAG Cyber interoperability by improving general, the larger that the surface of the multinational the utility of the EAG Cyber Reference Manual. Cyber Shield can be made, the better the awareness of the global Cyber situation can become. Although this More generally, these measures and others will enable concept may be easy to describe, turning the concept the EAG Cyber community to improve the levels of into reality is a considerably more complex challenge. Cyber awareness and understanding of each member’s In order to keep the task to a manageable size, the organization, capabilities, and personnel education and EAG is focussing on the defensive characteristics of training. These measures will not only enable each nation the Cyber Shield, rather than the offensive ‘Cyber to develop a better understanding of other nations’ Cyber spear’ characteristics. capabilities, but could become an important step towards building a stronger, collective approach to Cyber defence. EAG Cyber Reference Manual As a fundamental step towards improving interoperability, the EAG has implemented a project coordinated by the Permanent Staff (PS) to develop a Cyber Reference Manual, in collaboration with national Cyber specialists. The EAG Cyber Reference Manual is now hosted in a dedicated site on the EAG Extranet, which is described in a separate article in this publication. The Reference Manual comprises (…) for the EAG Air Forces three parts that respectively contain information about there are particular concerns Cyber Organization, Cyber training and Air Cyber about the impact of Cyber specialists and is intended as a central reference point for threats on air-specific activities the EAG’s Cyber community. including daily civilian and Embedded Cyber training military air traffic management At a tactical level, in order to improve the efficiency of (ATM) requirements. national-level Cyber defences, EAG Personnel Staff and Cyber experts from EAG Air Forces have introduced Cyber
33 Annual Report 2019
Improving communication and encouraging collaboration through a digital workspace
If your business is not on the internet, then your business will be out of business.
Bill Gates
s a key information sharing platform for the EAG, the Extranet continues to play a pivotal role in enabling the EAG’s extensive network of collaborators to work on the development of interoperability solutions in a secure environment.
A detailed infographic of how the Extranet is used.
With the launch of the Combined Air Interoperability to CAIP projects. The CAIP Extranet Site presents a leap Programme (CAIP) in 2017, the EAG was compelled to forward in the right direction for achieving a seamlessly further develop its IT-based Extranet platform to host a integrated, secure and collaborative digital workspace. new dedicated website that would act as the main hub Users are able to better access information relevant to for collaborative work at the different levels of the CAIP their projects, with an improved workflow that relieves governance structure. The need for such a tool to be the collaborators from having to heavily rely on email simple, intuitive to operate and easy to manage by communication in order to exchange project documents. project collaborators, fuelled a change in the Extranet Coordination for project activities and other administrative design language, beyond what was conceived when it actions has also benefited from the redesign and the was initially rolled out in 2015. implementation of proprietary software solutions for enhanced project management. Development After the careful consideration of multiple options The Way ahead available for content delivery and digital collaboration, Positive feedback and the engagement from the user and benefiting from proven successful solutions community are setting the foundations for further already developed for other Extranet subsites like the improvements in the Extranet environment. The new CIS Interoperability Platform, the CAIP Extranet site was design language and development solutions stemming designed and successfully deployed in February 2018. from the CAIP are now being replicated in other existing The CAIP Site incorporates more than eighty users from EAG project pages, such as the Aviation Medicine Extranet EAG nations and partner organizations, more than forty site and the new Interoperable MALE RPAS ISR Training document libraries and a total of twenty subsites related (IMRIT) project site.
34 European Air Group
A snapshot of the EAG’s Extranet.
The path ahead is not free from technical hurdles and The EAG Extranet is on track to become a robust, full- includes the challenges of extending the network of featured platform that will empower collaborators to collaborators and involving subject matter experts beyond contribute to the EAG’s product delivery. The Extranet is the currently modest community of project contributors. expected to improve as a persistent, secure and reliable An example of this is the future Aviation Medicine Virtual knowledge base, which will enhance the management of Network project, which is currently being implemented in large amounts of information that can be made available order to provide a networked way of working for a wider at multiple levels within the seven EAG Air Forces in a audience of users. timely, cost-effective manner.
Users are able to better access information relevant to their projects, with an improved workflow that relieves the collaborators from having to heavily rely on email communication in order to exchange project documents.
35 Annual Report 2019
Technical Arrangements – at the heart of doing business he concept of ‘teamwork’ is universally accepted and understood, but turning this concept into reality is not Talways a seamless process. The scale of the situation does not really matter: when two or more people, groups or organizations want to resolve problems or conduct meaningful business together, they invariably first must agree to cooperate by using some common principles objectives and rules.
This might seem obvious, but the business of ‘agreeing’ foundations and the scaffolding, so that the business of is often far from straightforward, even well-established constructing the building could take place. Like buildings, agreements need to be kept up to date, and there are the EAG’s activities come in various shapes and sizes, boundaries that need to be respected. Just look on the so the purpose, design and contents of a TA need to be Internet for the details of the Halifax explosion in 1917, to planned, agreed and drafted appropriately. see a tragic tactical example of how disastrous a lack of agreement and understanding can be. Although the EAG’s TAs are generally focussed on tactical and operational activities, they are still formal agreements For military organizations in today’s world, with its between the participating nations and must therefore be profusion of legal systems, policies, financial systems, signed at a senior level. In this context ‘senior’ can include values and conventions, the need to pin down agreements the Air Chiefs or Government Ministers of the nations properly is as important as ever. Military organizations involved. TAs must also be approved by legal and financial have developed many tools for reinforcing agreements, departments, before they are finalized and they must including bilateral or multinational agreements, also be formally signed - a process which is sometimes memorandums of understanding, letters of cooperation carried out by gathering the signatories together. Given and so on. The highest levels of cooperation include in these factors and the complexity of some subjects, the key documents such as the far-reaching NATO Status of development of TAs can take a long time and substantial Forces Agreement of 1951 (plus its various supplementary amounts of staff work, therefore, the first step in the agreements) and an Intergovernmental Agreement process is for the participants to agree to commit the time also established the EAG in 1998. However, much of and effort required. A typical period to build an EAG TA the EAG’s outputs are tactical and operational, so rather from the initial concept to the finished product can be two than overarching strategic documents, the EAG needs years, after which the TAs usually needs to be reviewed agreements that are focussed, practical and easy to use, and kept up to date periodically by the participants. for which its primary tool is the Technical Arrangement – or ‘TA’. EAG Technical Arrangements Since it was founded in 1998, the EAG has established From ideas to agreements nineteen TAs for a broad range of purposes. Prominent When EAG Nations decide to collaborate on a specific examples include the ‘Survive to Operate and Force project or activity, the TA provides a legal framework for Protection in the field of Air Force Activity’ or ‘STOX’ TA, agreeing on the relevant principles, arrangements and which was first signed in 2002 by all EAG Nations and caveats. In simple terms, if the activity concerned was provides the foundation for numerous Force Protection constructing a building, then the TA would provide the (FP) activities. The STOX TA has substantially enhanced interoperability between the EAG Nations and also involves partner nation Norway, which signed the TA in 2003. Another example is the Aviation Medicine TA, which was first signed in 2005 by all EAG Nations and provides the legal framework for the EAG’s vibrant Aviation Medicine community and the annual Advanced Aviation Medicine Course. Both the STOX TA and Aviation Medicine TA are administered by their own dedicated Coordination Board, each of which meets every six months and comprises representatives of all of the participants, although the custody (ownership) of the TAs belongs to the EAG. And there are many other examples, as illustrated in the Table on page 38. EAG FP activities take place under the STOX-TA.
36 European Air Group
Another far reaching, but less well-known agreement is EAG. The ATARES TA is also an example of how TAs can the TA on Air Defence Training, more commonly known potentially be used for additional purposes; currently, the as the ‘Eurofight’ TA, which was originally signed in 2000 EAG is now working in cooperation with the Movement by France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, and Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE) to explore if the then joined by Germany and the Netherlands in 2003 ATARES TA can be used as a mechanism for sharing Red and Belgium in 2006. This TA was established to provide Air services in the future. ‘(…) a single multilateral framework within which aircraft of participating nations will train together to improve New EAG initiatives are also emerging. A new TA involving operational capabilities and mutual understanding in Air Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain is Defence’1. This TA forms a legal basis for air defence training being developed, to enable short notice detachments by aircraft from any combination of EAG air forces and is of air assets to take place quickly and efficiently, by put into practise frequently, yet many air defence operators minimizing the administrative and diplomatic processes are unaware of its existence. for the organizations involved. This TA is intended to enable multinational training to take place more easily, Sharing and development but it may also be suitable for operational use and, when When an EAG activity supported by a TA is transferred to complete, it will become the latest interoperability tool in another organization, then by agreement the custody of the EAG’s TA portfolio. the TA can also be transferred. A prominent example of this includes the ‘ATARES’ TA, which was originally established by the EAG in 2001 to enable ‘Mutual Support through if you look for a way to support Exchange of Services in the realm of air force activity’. your idea of cooperation, In practise, this TA was aimed at air transport operations and its custody was later absorbed by the European Air the EAG may already have Transport Command (EATC) when that organization took what you need in stock. over air transport activities previously carried out by the
The TAs currently administered by the EAG are listed below:
Technical Arrangements Description Enables aircrew to obtain air-to-air refuelling qualifications Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) (FRA, GBR) Air Defence Training (Eurofighter) Flying training framework for Air Defence (all EAG Nations)
Air Force Activities – Aviation Medicine (AVMED) Framework for Av Med cooperation (all EAG Nations)
Alternate Airfield Functions for Fast Jet Aircraft Framework for mutual use of alternate airfields (BEL, DEU, FRA, NLD) Autonomous Air Combat Manoeuvring Framework for AACMI training activities (all EAG Nations) Instrumentation Combined Air Terminal Operations (CATO) Framework for deployed operations (all EAG Nations) Deployable Multi-National Air Wing (DMAW) Framework for deployed operations (all EAG Nations) EAG Fuel Projects, Training and Framework for fuel cross-training + deployments (BEL, DEU, FRA, GBR, Exchange of Personnel ITA, NLD) European Personnel Recover Centre (EPRC) Framework of arrangements to establish the EPRC (all EAG Nations) Framework for standardising cargo load clearances and processes (BEL, Interoperable Load Clearance Activities (ILCC) DEU, ESP, GBR, ITA, NLD) Mutual Support through Exchange of Services – Mechanism for mutual exchange of Av Med services and training Aviation Medicine High Cost Equipment (HCE) (all EAG Nations) Framework enabling short notice flying training activities (BEL, Short Notice Detachments (SHORDET) FRA, GBR) Survive to Operate (Force Protection) (STOX) Framework for force protection training (all EAG Nations plus Norway) Twinning: RAF Regiment and Commandement des Mutual agreement to improve interoperability (FRA, GBR) Fusiliers Commandos de L’Air
1 Air Defence Training TA, Section 1: Objective
37 Annual Report 2019
Agreeing Strategies – the seven Air Chiefs meet in Bruges to steer the EAG into the future
Chiefs of the Air Staffs celebrate 20th Anniversary of the EAG. ©BAF/Bart Rosselle
he EAG’s top level Steering Group stands out as a high-level point of cohesion for all seven EAG Member Air TForces, particularly in an era of remarkable political, technological, economic and security challenges across Europe and globally.
On 6 June 2018, the EAG Steering Group came together the organization not only for the coming year, but well in Bruges, Belgium. The timing of the Bruges meeting into the future. had a special significance, as 2018 marked the 100th Anniversary year of the Armistice that ended the fighting The outcomes of this Meeting have shaped aspects of the in the First World War. The Armistice was a prominent EAG’s work since then, including the exploration of future theme of a memorable, commemorative visit schedule military requirements concerning the Single European Sky that greeted the Steering Members and was arranged initiative and also the development of a common vision with great sensitivity and attention to detail by the on future training. These subjects provide essential context Belgian Air Force. and guidance for several EAG projects that feature in other articles in this publication and they will also provide Furthermore, the meeting was the occasion to officially a catalyst for the Agenda of the next Steering Group celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the EAG, whose Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in June 2019, founding document was signed on 6th July 1998. in London. The Director unveiled a plaque carved to commemorate this milestone, rallied round by all the other Air Chiefs, who expressed their congratulations to the Group for its achievements throughout the 20 past years.
The Steering Group Meeting not only included a detailed report from the (then) EAG Deputy Director Air Commodore Robert Adang covering more than twenty EAG project areas, but also included discussions involving the Air Chiefs and Deputy Director, to shape the path of ©BAF/Bart Rosselle
38 European Air Group
EAG Project Activities for 2019 FEBRUARY MARCH • OPUS meeting (ITA) • NATO Modular Combined Petroleum Unit Capacity • MSG – 165 meeting (NLD) Coordination Board (BEL) • ALCM Workshop (ESP) • 1* POC meeting (EAG) • VOLCANEX FP MPC (EAG) • CIS meeting (BEL) • Working Group meeting (FRA)
APRIL MAY • AvMed Coordination Board • VOLCANEX FP (UK) • MCCE Working Board • Cyber Meeting (DEU) • CAIP Management Board • ETIP Meeting (ESP) • RAF - EAG Workshop • ALCM - Ex Ramstein • IMRIT Trial exercises Ambition
JUNE • EAG Steering Group meeting (UK) • NATO FP Planning course • FP Seminar • IMRIT Trials
JULY QUARTER 3/4 • VOLCANEX CIS (NLD) • 15th AvMed Course • STOX-TA Coordination • EAG Working Group Board • VOLCANEX IMRIT • C-UAS Workshop • CAIP Management Board • VOLCANEX FP C2 PXD • STOX-TA Coordination Board
39 Organisation Contact Details
Deputy Director
Bg Gen (OF-6) Stefan Scheibl 01494 497556 [email protected]
Chief of Staff
Col (OF-5) Hervé Lahille 01494 497908 [email protected]
Executive Officer
Wg Cdr (OF-4) Dave Burrows 01494 497909 [email protected]
Team 1 – Air Operations
Lt Col (OF-4) Jaun-Carlos Dominquez 01494 497246 [email protected]
Lt Col (OF-4) Stefan Bakker 01494 497286 [email protected]
Lt Col (OF-4) Marc Scheers 01494 497283 [email protected]
Lt Col (OF-4) Stefan Zwetsch 01494 497275 [email protected]
Lt Col (OF-4) Alfredo Semperlotti 01494 497245 [email protected]
Sqn Ldr (OF-3) Pete Lapham 01494 497918 [email protected]
Team 2 – Force Protection
Lt Col (OF-4) Karl Haeringer 01494 497352 [email protected]
Cdt (OF-3) Pierre Gillet 01494 497261 [email protected]
Maj (OF-3) Dominik Osterfeld 01494 497921 [email protected]
Maj (OF-3) Jörgen Schade 01494 497279 [email protected]
Team 3 – Logistics
Lt Col (OF-4) Antonio Comple 01494 497943 [email protected]
Maj (OF-3) Marcel Voorsluijs 01494 496617 [email protected]
Maj (OF-3) Màximo Blanco 01494 497239 [email protected]
Sqn Ldr (OF-3) Mike Neaves 01494 497924 [email protected]
Team 4 – CIS/Cyber
Lt Col (OF-4) Eric Ygrand 01494 497283 [email protected]
Lt Col (OF-4) Miguel Tobias 01494 497925 [email protected]
Lt Col (OF-4) Pier Bosco 01494 497284 [email protected]
Support
Flt Lt (OF-2) James Palfrey 07494497291 [email protected] Produced by Air Media Centre, HQ Air Command. 3333_18AJ UK Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright, 2019