European Air Group: 'We Must Standardise Procedures to Recover Downed Aircrew'
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Lt Col Uwe Schleimer of the German Air Force is the Group Director for the European Air Group. This multilateral body works toward enhancing interoperability between partner nations, particularly in JPR (joint personnel recovery) and SERE (survive, evade, resist, extract) standardisation. As operations in the first Gulf War and the Balkans demonstrated, standardising personnel recovery TTPs (tactics, techniques and procedures) became a critical discussion, especially as NATO forces began working closely together. This is increasingly the case in Afghanistan, as well, where recovery procedures may feasibly be shared between coalition forces. Likewise, we have seen significant changes in personnel recovery tactics. Aircrew have traditionally been the focus of JPR techniques and equipment, but increasingly 'high risk of capture' individuals are expanding to include broader military and non-military targets. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and the UK are working together under the EAG banner to coordinate personnel recovery in future conflicts.