The European Tactical Airlift Programme Course (ETAP-C) 2025 concluded today, 31 October, at Air Base No. 11 in Beja, bringing together aircraft and crews from several European air forces in an exercise that strengthened interoperability and cooperation in the field of tactical air transport.

Organised by the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), ETAP-C is the fourth edition to take place in 2025. This phase of the exercise, the Course component, aimed to provide participating crews with a comprehensive tactical airlift training programme designed to enhance tactical knowledge, expand operational capability in complex scenarios, and improve survivability in hostile environments.

Over two weeks of flying activity and joint planning, missions included cargo and paratrooper drops, special operations, and medical evacuations – replicating scenarios similar to those faced by aircrews in real operational theatres.

Portugal took part with one KC-390 and another C-130H aircraft and several ground support teams, including Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP), members of the AMPL, maintenance teams, and mission planning elements, all contributing to the overall success of the exercise.

Throughout its execution, ETAP-C 2025 successfully achieved multiple operational and training objectives, with approximately 140 flight hours conducted over 62 sorties, and 37 personnel graduating from the course.

ETAP-C 2025 demonstrated the value of European cooperation in strengthening tactical airlift capabilities, enabling participating air forces to share experiences, harmonise procedures, and enhance operational readiness to respond effectively to joint missions – whether military or humanitarian in nature.