The European Air Transport Command celebrates its 15th anniversary

• A Spanish delegation, led by General Maldonado, visits the Dutch city on behalf of the Air and Space Force

The European Air Transport Command (EATC) celebrated its 15th anniversary at a ceremony in Eindhoven, attended by a Spanish delegation as a member state of this organisation.

The ceremony, which was attended by officers and non-commissioned officers from the seven EATC nations, was led by Major General José Luís Ortíz-Cañavate Levenfeld (Deputy Commander of the EATC). Lieutenant General Franck Mollard, Commander of the EATC, addressed the attendees, highlighting the importance of this multinational organisation for the defence of European interests, both within and beyond the borders of our continent.

Among the attendees, it is also worth noting the presence of the Secretary of Defence of the Netherlands, as the host nation, as well as other civil and military authorities.

The Spanish delegation was led by Major General Andrés Enrique Maldonado García, who was accompanied by the heads of the Air and Space Force transport units directly related to the EATC, such as Wing 31, Wing 35 and Wing 45. The Air Medical Evacuation Unit (UMAER) and the European Tactical Air Transport Centre (ETAC) also participated, as well as a delegation from the Air Mobility Headquarters (JMOVA).

In addition, one of the aircraft integrated into the EATC structure, a C-295 (T21) in MEDEVAC configuration, from Wing 35 of the Air and Space Force, took part in the static aircraft display, together with its crew.

During the ceremony, French decorations were awarded to the senior officers of the nations. This was followed by the host nation's national anthem and the anthem of the European Union. The event ended with a flypast by a Belgian Air Force A400-M, another of the aircraft integrated into the EATC structure, followed by the traditional group photo.

The EATC was created with the aim of optimising air operations of the participating countries and currently has more than 180 aircraft, spread across 13 air bases, belonging to the seven nations that make up the multinational organisation. They provide air transport for personnel and equipment, in-flight refuelling and medical air evacuation, thereby contributing to security, air mobility and operational efficiency in Europe. Since its creation in 2010, the EATC has carried out nearly 110,000 missions worldwide. Spain has been part of the European Transport Command since 2014.