Eindhoven Air Base
Eindhoven Air Base is the home base of the Air Mobility Command of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Their most important task is the provision of military air transport for worldwide military operations, humanitarian missions and special assignments. In addition, air force personnel are tasked with airport duties at Eindhoven Airport day and night.
Tasks
The air base has four tasks:
- Providing military air transport and air-to-air refuelling for military aircraft.
- Handling cargo and passengers.
- Making the airport available for joint military and civilian use.
- Facilitating national and foreign military units.
Many military personnel who are deployed abroad depart from Eindhoven Air Base. Their families welcome them at the same air base when they return.
Aircraft operating from Eindhoven
The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates various types of transport aircraft to carry personnel and goods from Eindhoven Air Base:
- C-130: can also land on unsealed landing strips.
- Gulfstream IV: for senior officials, command & control, inspections and coordination.
- A330, multi role tanker transport aircraft.
Military air transport cooperation
Various countries pool their military air transport capabilities. Eindhoven Air Base is home to a number of international organisations, including:
- Movement Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE), which coordinates strategic military transport through the air, by sea and over land.
- European Air Transport Command (EATC), which plans the deployment of transport aircraft of its member nations.
- Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU), a fleet of tanker transport aircraft that is used by 6 NATO partners.