RAMSTEIN, Germany – Lithuania hosted a multinational equipment interoperability trial at Šiauliai Air Base from February 19 to 23 with the Belgian and French Baltic Air Policing detachments in close cooperation with representatives from Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), the European Air Group (EAG) and the US Air Forces in Europe.
Interoperable ground support equipment will play a significant role in ensuring NATO Air Forces can generate sorties, conduct assigned missions and perform from forward locations
“NATO’s force posture is designed to provide deterrence, improve resiliency, and survivability while generating combat power from geographically dispersed locations,” said Major Marco Coelho, Portuguese Air Force, head of the Aircraft Engineering Section at Headquarters AIRCOM. “This requires a flexible and well-coordinated approach and involves both deploying forces and the receiving nations, to ensure Allies regain the agility and interoperability in how aircraft are supported, maintained, and operated,” he added.
A multinational equipment interoperability trial took place at Šiauliai Air Base from February 19 to 23; experts seen with French Air and Space Force Mirage 2000-5.
Photo by Etat-Major des Armées, France.
"Interoperable ground support equipment will play a significant role in ensuring NATO Air Forces can generate sorties, conduct assigned missions and perform from forward locations,” explained Major Coelho, AIRCOM project officer (front right).
Photo by Etat-Major des Armées, France.
The main goal of the equipment interoperability trial at Šiauliai Air Base has been to assess the interoperability of United States ground support equipment with NATO aircraft.
Photo by Etat-Major des Armées, France.
U.S. Air Force and French Air and Space Force experts and operators looking at U.S. ground support equipment and how to facilitate its use in Allied dispersed operations.
Photo by Etat-Major des Armées, France.
“One of the main overarching principles to achieve this is interoperability,” Major Coelho added. “This describes the ability to act together coherently and effectively cooperate with other Allies and Partners, including personnel, weapons, systems, and equipment,” he said.
The main goal of the equipment interoperability trial that took place at Šiauliai has been to assess the interoperability of United States ground support equipment (GSE) with NATO aircraft – in this case Belgian F-16 and French Mirage 2000-5 fighters. Representatives of AIRCOM and the EAG coordinated the trial with participating Nations and observed the events on site in Lithuania
“Interoperable GSE will play a significant role in ensuring NATO Air Forces can generate sorties, conduct assigned missions, and be prepared to perform Agile Combat Employment (ACE) from forward locations,” explained Major Coelho. This trial is another step towards increased interoperability among Allies and enhance ACE capability. Similar interoperability checks have been recently performed during the Tactical Leadership Program (TLP) courses in Albacete, Spain, applying Tactics, Techniques and Procedures that are common among NATO and Partner air forces.