When discrepancies in airlift capabilities occur between various nations taking part in missions such as peacekeeping deployments and large-scale relief missions, cooperation becomes essential. In light of this context, the Continental Movement Coordination Centre (CMCC) was created in 2015 to address the need for a harmonised and secure strategic airlift process. Group Captain David Akrong, Acting Chief of the CMCC, sat down with to Defence IQ and delved into the reasons for its creation, international partnerships and addressing disparity in capabilities across member countries.

The Heavy Airlift Wing, equipped with its three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III long-range cargo jets, brought in 220,000 LBS of humanitarian aid along with personnel in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, proving to be a vital role in the disaster relief mission. Colonel James Sparrow, Vice Commander of the SAC Heavy Airlift Wing and speaker at Military Airlift 2018, was a key witness of the mission. In this exclusive interview, he dives into the mission, from planning it at short notice, to facing security and operational challenges on the ground.

Recent environmental disasters renewed the emphasis on the importance for nations to have an efficient and effective airlift capability. As procurement goes, the spotlight on cost-effective solutions remains and the integration of new technologies such as unmanned platforms will be key over the next few years. Defence IQ interviewed Guy van den Berg, Director of Contracted Services at AJW Group, on the drivers behind the evolution of the market and the resulting solutions emerging from it.