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French Air Force tanker refuelling Royal Air Force Tornados. |
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During the 1991 Gulf War, the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) and the France's Armée de l'Air (French Air Force or FAF) worked very closely together on a range of operational activities. Soon after this, the same two air forces found themselves working together again, on missions in support of United Nations forces in former Yugoslavia. Further close cooperation followed in operation over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The FAF and RAF realized that there was a need for an organization to improve the inter-air force cooperation and to work on issues relating to interoperability. Thus it was at the Chartres Summit, on 18th November 1994, that the first announcement was made of the intention to create the Franco-British European Air Group (FBEAG). Even at that stage, it was foreseen that other European air forces might wish to join the organization, so the word 'European' was included in the title right from the beginning.
On 27th June 1995, France and the UK jointly declared the formal establishment of the FBEAG. Shortly afterwards, Air Commodore Wright RAF was appointed as the first Deputy Director of the FBEAG, with Colonel Beck FAF as the first Chief of Staff (COS) and Group Captain Wood RAF as the first Vice COS. Then on 20th September of that year, the first meeting of the FBEAG Working Group (WG) was held at the FBEAG Headquarters (HQ), located at RAF High Wycombe, home of the RAF Strike Command, Buckinghamshire, UK.
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President Chirac & Prime Minister John Major inaugurating the FBEAG |
On 13th October 1995, Général André Nicolau was appointed as the first Director of the Group. Shortly afterwards, on 30th October, the FBEAG was formally inaugurated at a joint ceremony, by French President Jacques Chirac and British Prime Minister John Major. That same day, the FBEAG Steering Group (SG) held its inaugural meeting. The SG, in effect a committee comprising the Chiefs of the Air Staffs of each member nation as well as senior representatives of the ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, meets regularly every year to make decisions regarding the Group's policies and future work.
During 1996, the FBEAG worked mainly on strengthening existing ties and cooperation between the FAF and the RAF. Italy became the first nation to apply for membership, and in early 1997 Germany accepted 'correspondent' status - that is, to send observers to EAG activities, but not to participate fully in decision-making. Soon afterwards, the Italian Air Force (ITAF) also appointed an observer.
At the November 1997 meeting of the Steering Group, it was decided to invite Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain to become 'correspondent' members, along with Germany and Italy. Shortly afterwards, on 1st January 1998, the FBEAG formally changed its title to simply 'European Air Group' (EAG).
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Inauguration of the EAG Building at RAF High Wycombe |
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Meanwhile, work proceeded on the construction of a new building at RAF High Wycombe, to house the headquarters of the EAG. The UK's secretary of State for Defence, the Right Honourable George Robertson MP, formally opened the building on 16th June 1998. That same day, the EAG Steering Group held a meeting during which Italy announced its decision to become a full member. On 6th July 1998, agreement was reached between the French and British governments regarding the precise wording of the required Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) officially creating the Group, and the document was formally signed. In September of the same year, the first members of the ITAF joined the permanent staff of the EAG HQ.
On 16th June 1999, France and the UK signed a Protocol amending the EAG IGA permitting other nations to join the EAG. At the 1999 meeting of the EAG SG, held in Rome on 12th July, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain all confirmed their wish to transfer to full membership, and the EAG formally became a 7-nation organization. Staff officers and NCOs from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain have since joined the EAG HQ.
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