Counter Air Operations – tactical simulated training, 7-11 October 2019, TSC Pardubice, Czech Republic

In the term 7-11 October 2019 MATC coordinated another run of tactical simulated training for tactical pilots and C2/GCIs in Tactical Simulation Center (TSC), Pardubice AB, the Czech Republic. The training was focused again on the Counter Air Operations (CAO) training in peace, crises and wartime. The multinational training audience was blended of both roockies and experienced pilots and C2/GCIs from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia. The training was supported, as the previous one, by assistance of Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) Subject-Matter Experts (SME) from Albacete, Spain.

The MATC CAO tactical simulated training is a specific training based on NATO standards, which reflects all required training needed for NATINAMDS/QRA pilots and C2/GCIs. The Training contributes significantly to the NATO interoperability. We can also mention “The regional interoperability”, because such kind of training provides opportunity for pilots and C2/GCIs to train and interact in cross-border operations. The greatest benefit of this training is the support of TLP specialists, who contributed to both Academic and Practical phase of it.

MATC plans two runs of such training, which would be focused on Counter Air OPS (AP, DCA, BVR tactics) again, for second half of 2020 in TSC Pardubice AB, the Czech Republic.

Written by JD

The second course for UAV pilot-operators at University of Defence Brno, Czech Republic

The second Basic Course for UAV pilot-operators facilitated by the University of Defence Brno, Czech Republic in term 01-19 OCT 2018 has been successfully finished. The Course attended thirteen recruited UAV pilot-operators from Czech and Slovak armed forces under coordination of the MATC. Trainees were educated in the field of basics of aviation and airworthiness and the management and use of airspace. Trainees obtained certificates from the University of Defence Brno and the MATC representatives on the last day of the Course. The next course for UAV pilots is planned for the year 2019 as well.

Written by PŠ

MATC Training Conference in Vyškov

The 3rd MATC Training Conference was held in Vyškov Military Academy (MATC Directorate, CZE) from 30th September to 3rd October 2019.

The main aim of the Conference was to evaluate courses and training organized by MATC and to familiarize the MATC community with the lessons learned gained from these activities. Other topics covered MATC planned training and new training project proposals.

The TRG Leader informed also about the Site Survey of German Air Force Simulation Control Centre (Cologne, GER). The goal of this visit was to receive basic information about “Distributed Training” possibilities for the future MATC training. The main task of the DEU Air Force Simulation Control Centre is to interconnect the tactical weapons systems simulators of German Air Force via a network to execute Distributed Mission Operations, and the MATC is looking for options how to link this unique centre with already existing simulators within MATC countries.

The last, but not least objective of the 3rd MATC Training Conference was to cooperate and share information with parallel ongoing MATC Legal and Financial conferences, and to prepare background materials for the MATC Steering Committee Meeting, which was held at the same place on 2nd of October.

 Written by ZK

The 3rd MBAR visit in Budapest

The Military Airworthiness Authorities (MAA) of CZE, HRV and SVK completed the third on-site visit of the State Aviation Department of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence (MAA HUN) in the period from
24th to 26th September.

The On-Site visit aim was focused on the assessment of MAA HUN for recognition purpose. European Military Airworthiness Document (EMAD-R) and Military Authorities Recognition Questionsets (MARQs) were used as the main reference documents and tools. MAA HUN manning, internal structure, regulatory frameworks, and the applied procedures have been assessed as compliant with the required criteria. Representatives of assessing MAAs agreed upon that there is no objection to signing the Recognition Certificate for MAA HUN. Final Assessment Report and individual Recognition Certificates are expected to be approved and signed during the MAA director’s meeting scheduled in Prague in December 2019.
On-Site visits will be accomplished in Slovakia during the last October week.

2019MBARHUN 2

Written by PJ

The 2nd MATC Legal and Financial Conference

The 2nd MATC Legal and Financial Conference was held on 1st October 2019 at the MATC Directorate residence in Vyškov, Czech Republic, followed by MATC Steering Committee Meeting on 2nd October 2019.

The main MATC Legal and Financial Conference subjects were MATC Directorate status and tax issue report, Legal Framework of products or services provided via MATC and the MATC MoU amendment proposal in connection with finding the functional and convenient legal framework of products provided via MATC. The Conference outputs were introduced during the SC Meeting and consensus has been reached to initiate the MATC MoU amendment and to establish the legal and financial working group in order to create a unified system of credit mechanism payment.

 Written by PV

The 7th MATC Steering Committee Meeting

The 7th MATC Steering Committee Meeting was held on 2nd October 2019 at the MATC Directorate residence in Vyškov, Czech Republic. SC Meeting was preceded by Training, Legal and Financial conferences, held on 1st October 2019.
The main SC meeting subjects were the new SC Chairman election, the Plan of Work (POW) and MATC Multinational Budget (MMB) approval, as well as the MATC Directorate status report, MATC training activities summary and MATC MoU amendment proposal  in connection with finding the functional and convenient legal framework of some products provided via MATC. 
As a new SC Chairman was chosen by SC members, BG Nándor Kilián, HUNAF Inspector. The next regular SC meeting in autumn 2020 is going to be held in Hungary.

 Written by PV

The second on-site visit accomplished

The second on-site visit in the framework of the Mutual Bilateral Airworthiness Recognition (MBAR) issue took place from 10th to 12th of September at 93rd Air Force Base in Zadar, Croatia. The representatives of the Croatian Military Aviation Authority (MAA) presented Military Aviation recognition questionnaires (MARQs) to representatives of participating MAAs from MATC countries.

The representatives of the Slovak, Czech and Hungarian MAA visited premises and facilities of Bell-206B helicopter training squadron, OH-58 KIOWA warrior squadron, and CL-406/AT-802 fire-fighting squadron in Zadar. All the MBAR team agreed on the third on-site visit in Hungary at the end of September 2019 and pronounced their confidence in a successful continuation of MBAR process which is going to be accomplished by signing of recognition certificates.

Written by PJ

MATC Site Survey of German Air Force Simulation Control Center

MATC representatives conducted a site survey of GAF Simulation Control Center on 23rd – 24th July in order to identify possibilities for cooperation in future. The capabilities of the center are very interesting, future cooperation could consist of connecting simulation centers used for MATC training with other entities not only from German Air Force but also from NATO. If our customers and simulation centers will be interested in this kind of cooperation, there is a potential to enhance our training capabilities by incorporating other units and assets into current training.

 Written by KV

MATC Training Conference

 The 2nd/2019 MATC Training Conference took place in the Croatian Military Training Facility „Mali Lošinj Barracks“ in the term  9 -12 July.  The main topic of the meeting was focused on training overview and evaluation of the projects performed in the first half of 2019. The MATC TRG Leader gladly introduced the two new international members from Slovakian and Hungarian Air Force, who started their work recently.  With their arrival,  the MATC Directorate became a fully international facility. The Conference attendees discussed the MATC Training Projects for the rest of the year 2019. One of the most valuable courses is the Counter Air Operation (CAO) tactical simulator training in TSC Pardubice, with the attendance and assistance of  Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) Subject-Matter Experts (SME).  The TRG leader informed about further MATC training capabilities and facilities for the year 2020 provided in the MATC portfolio. The Croatian Air Force is interested in high altitude winter survival training for pilots, what could be in the near future the new MATC project. The Site survey of convenient Training facilities is planned tentatively to this summer.

 Written by JB

Letter of Agreement between MATC and TLP signed

On 27th June 2019 was signed the Letter of Agreement between MATC and TPL (Tactical Leadership Programme). It is a formal confirmation of cooperation with a team of multinational experts taking part in MATC products and services.

The aim of this cooperation is to increase the effectiveness of Allied Forces through the development of leadership skills, mission planning, briefing, tactical air operations, debriefing skills and doctrinal initiatives in support of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Supreme Allied Commander (SACT) and National Defence Forces.

Written by PV