BAKU, Azerbaijan – A multinational Allied Air Command team of experts conducted a training visit to Kala Air Force Base, Azerbaijan, briefing Azerbaijani officers on NATO standards for helicopter operations. 

From 4 to 8 March 2019, the mobile training team composed of specialists from Headquarters Allied Air Command, Germany, and Deployable Air Command and Control Centre, Italy, focused on tactics, techniques and procedures for air assault, air movement, medical evacuation and reconnaissance operations conducted by helicopters.

The operational briefings were complemented by presentations on intelligence support to operations, NATO Rules of Engagement, and the specific domains of air tasking order, airspace control orders, route planning and marshaling. 

This fourth mobile training team visit Allied Air Command conducted in Azerbaijan is an important one, as it directly links to two critical events planned for later in 2019. These events fall under the Operational Capabilities concept Evaluation and Feedback programme, which is a practical tool to enable closer cooperation between NATO and potential contributors to NATO-led operations. In an effort to improve and evaluate the levels of interoperability and capabilities, Azerbaijan has declared two of its Mi-17 helicopters to a special pool of forces under the programme. This will enhance the operational and tactical relationship between the country and NATO. 

Azerbaijan is an important Partner for NATO in the region, and a member of NATOs Partnership for Peace Programme since its inception in 1994. While Azerbaijan contributes to NATO’s engagement in Afghanistan, it also provides a staff officer to the Headquarters Allied Air Command Military Partnership branch acting as liaison for all NATO activities and gaining insights into Alliance staff procedures.  Steadfast in support all future activities with Azerbaijan, Allied Air Command looks forward to upcoming Partnership missions in 2019.