Sep 13 2019

NATO air experts evaluate Azerbaijani helicopter unit against NATO standards

RAMSTEIN, Germany - From 9 to 13 September a team of experts from Allied Air Command travelled to Garaheybat Training and Education Center near Baku, Azerbaijan to conduct an interoperability evaluation of an Azerbaijani Air Force unit against NATO standards.

Two of the unit’s Mi-17 transport helicopters were assigned to the NATO pool of forces in 2016 to support NATO missions. The event followed Azerbaijan’s declared goals of partnership with the Alliance, recently reiterated in the 2017 Individual Partnership Action Plan, which include cooperation with NATO in the fields of forces development and participation in NATO-led operations.

The standardization of Azerbaijan`s Air Force is a contribution to NATO`s overall effort of effective missions and operation

This so-called first level evaluation of standards and procedures was jointly conducted by 21 subject matter experts and evaluators from Allied Air Command, six evaluators from host nation Azerbaijan and three supporting subject matter experts from NATO Partner Nation Ukraine. Additionally two officers from Tunesia participated in the event as observers. The evaluation was the second out of four of different levels before the Azerbaijani unit will then be available to support NATO missions and operations.

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“We are very proud to be part of the operational capability concept evaluation and feedback programme with Azerbaijan and that we meet such a highly qualified and motivated unit with inordinate operational experience” says Lieutenant Colonel Oliever Schmitt, leader of the NATO delegation and evaluation director of the exercise.

“The standardization of Azerbaijan`s Air Force is a contribution to NATO`s overall effort of effective missions and operations and is a clear achievement of NATO`s second core task, crisis response. Azerbaijan closely cooperates with NATO as a reliable partner with its valuable assets” he adds.

Members of the evaluated Azerbaijani helicopter unit and a member of the evaluating team in front of one of the Mi-17 transport helicopters.

NATO’s Military Partnership Programme contributes to increased international stability and security through cooperative engagement with forces of non-NATO countries. Over the past 25 years, the Alliance has developed a network of 41 partner countries around the world. NATO pursues dialogue and practical cooperation with these nations on a wide range of political and security-related issues.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office