In 1999 a French and German initiative was started to form a combined European air transport command. The goal of this new command was a better use of the European Air Forces airlift and AAR capabilities; this would make the use of airlift more efficient and effective. In 2001 this initiative resulted in the founding of the EACC (European Airlift Coordination Cell) at Eindhoven Airbase, The Netherlands.

On 5 July 2004, they changed the name in EAC (European Airlift Centre). This due to the fact that they also started to do planning work. The EAC coordinates and plans the airlift for the following members: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom.

A good example of the better use of each other airlift and AAR capabilities started on August 16^th. A Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10 was tasked to ferry 6 Norwegian Air Force F-16AMs to Nellis Air Force Base for their Red Flag deployment.  The Norwegians also “hired” 2 French C-135FRs for cargo and AAR. Afterburner joined this hughe operation.

The mission started on 08.00 hrs local time when we took off heading for Bodo Air Base. It was a nice and easy flight with an almost empty KDC-10. 2 hours later we landed at a cloudy Bodo. One C-135FR was already gone to the USA with some cargo. We had a briefing with the Norwegian ferry flight leader and the French C-135FR crew about the ALTREV (Altitude Reservation) the rendezvous point and cell separation time.

After this briefing it was time to leave for the hotel, except for the ground loadmasters who had some difficulties with the cargo. The other C-135FR would leave for Keflavik NAS (Iceland) later that day.

The next day we got up early. The bus picked us up at 05.30 hrs lt and 15 minutes later we were at the aircraft (T-264). Everything went as planned and at 08.00 hrs lt we were airborne again, next destination Keflavik NAS. Due to some work in progress at Bodo we were not able to take off with the amount of fuel we needed to cross the pond with the chicks behind.

After a 2,5 hours flight we landed at Keflavik. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t that good, low clouds and rain. There were only 3 other aircrafts on the huge ramp, the French C-135FR and 2 March AFRC KC-135Rs. Luckily we saw 4 Kadena F-15C (ZZ) taking off an hour later, but we were already gone before they returned.

We took off at 09.40 hrs heading for the two receivers. We should join them at 61N000W which was a hour and a half back where we came from. The join up was uneventful except that the controlling ATC was not fully aware of our intentions. We now headed back west again only this time with the NOW5009A and B at our wingtips. The air spare which was with us, heard that there was a ground abort in the second cell so instead of going back to Bodo he left us to join the French Tanker. They followed us 30 minutes behind with 4 F-16s. During the ferry to Goose Bay we did 3 offloads and after a 5.50 hrs flight we arrived at Goose Bay, Canada.

This enormous airfield was almost completely empty, what a difference with a few years ago. No more foreign fighters any more, just empty flight lines and hangars. The only host nation which was still there were the Germans, but there where no planes. We decided to have dinner in the German mess and with some luck we could see the football match Holland versus Germany!! I wished I had an orange shirt with me. But we had no luck, no football on the satellite tv.

18^th of August: take off 09.30lt, but this time we were onboard the French C-135FR. With a Norwegian F-16 pilot onboard the C-135FR we made some appointments for a photo shoot en-route. He suggested that as we were flying almost overhead downtown Chicago that that would be a great background. I couldn’t agree more…….but bad luck no Chicago….. only clouds!!!!

As we passed Kansas City the weather improved, but we were less then a hour from our destination that day, so time to act. The shoot was great!!! THANKS GUYS!!!. We stayed in the back for a long time enjoying the view. After 5.15 hrs, we touched the runway, of Cannon Air Force Base.

Cannon AFB is what we call the “middle of no where“ and we had to stay there for 2 days. We had some arrangements made with the PAO of Cannon to take some photos of the F-16s. Bad luck again, the Singaporese F-16 squadron already left Cannon.

20^th of August: we were planned to take off at 11.00lt, but due to some technical problems with one of the Norwegian F-16s our departure time was delayed until 14.00lt. The flight to Nellis was great only 01.30hrs and with a great view of the Grand Canyon en route.

As we were on downwind for Nellis we saw 3 B-52s turning final in front of us. On the rollout we could see that the ramp was full with fighters. We could see at least 18 388^th FW F-16s, 3 F/A-22s, 2 E-3s, 4 Marines EA-6Bs,8 422^nd TES  F-16s and more. When we taxied, behind the 3 2th BW B-52s, to our parking place we saw 8 121^st FS/DC ANG F-16s, 6 RAF Tornados and 4 428^th FS F-16s of the Singaporese Air Force.

While we were unloading the aircraft arrival traffic was heavy, with at one point 12 aircraft in the circuit. On this late Saturday after noon, 6 120^th FS/CO ANG F-16s, 6 1^st FW F-15C and 12 4^th FW F-15Es arrived. Don’t try this at home!!!

The next day we departed a hot Nellis for a 9.5 hrs flight direct to Eindhoven Air Base. But this multi national mission was not finished. In 2 weeks the Norwegians want to go home again. This time they joined up with a single tanker, the Dutch KDC-10.