From 17 November to 4 December, the exercise “VOLCANEX 2025”, organised by the CIS school “Quartier Maj HOUSIAU” in Peutie, Belgium, took place’.’European Air Group (EAG) and is dedicated to improving information and communication systems (CIS – Communication Information System) of the EAG Nations.
Specifically, the training event, conducted in all its phases on the grounds of the Belgian joint interforce school, aimed to improve the’Interoperability of the air forces of member countries within the CIS context, and of to train technical staff in the management of operations in a multinational environment.
This year, for the first time, the drill was supplemented by an extension in the supply. Air Traffic Services (ATS) in mode Deployable, with the participation of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and Combat Controllers (CCT) by all EAG nations.
The VOLCANEX, directed by an officer of the Italian Air Force serving at the EAG headquarters in High Wycombe (UK), saw, in the execution phase of the CIS component, the use of technical personnel from the 4th Brigade of Telecommunications and Systems for Air Defence and Air Traffic Control of Borgo Piave. In particular, several simulations have been carried out within the HF and TETRA radio sector (Terrestrial Trunked RadioBoth working groups, of which the Italian-led HF, have operated in interaction with the other six participating nations, in line with the activities planned by the EAG, ensuring, at the end of the activities, relevant exercise feedback to build upon for the next 2026 edition.
The VOLCANEX 25 has further extended its traditional testing area to the provision of Air Traffic Services in a multinational context with 28 operators divided between Air Traffic Controllers e Combat Controllers.
Furthermore, an initial activation operational scenario has been preparedEntry phase of a projected airport flight information service, backed by an Italian-led CCT team comprising 17th Wing raiders of the Italian Air Force. Subsequently, a Flight Information Centre was activated remotely, which guaranteed a more extensive ATS provision service. In this phase, national participation was ensured by ATCO personnel from Air Force Coordination and Control Services of Ciampino, Padua and Milan.
For the first time, in this innovative ATS segment, VOLCANEX has proposed the activation of both ATS supply services in interaction. Full integration from mixed teams composed of all EAG nations. They took place over two days, 16 Trials of various operational scenarios for a total of 180 simulated aircraft from positions Virtual Pilots. Furthermore, various combinations of CIS systems were used Deployable thesis to guarantee a Network quick, efficient, and versatile, with a particular focus on the use of ATAKAndroid Team Awareness Kitand TETRA, and FMNFederated Mission Network) for the provision of ATS services.
L‘European Air Group it is a multinational organisation with its headquarters in High Wycombe acting under the direction of a Steering Group comprising the Chiefs of Staff of the Air Forces of the Nations of which it is part: France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. The mission is to enhance the operational capabilities of the member countries' air forces to conduct operations pursuing common interests, mainly through mechanisms that increase interoperability so that they can operate as one in any scenario.
