On 19-20 June 2019, the European Personnel Recovery Centre Steering Group, the governing body which leads EPRC way ahead, held its 5th annual meeting in Bordeaux Air Base (FRA), home to the French Air Force Command. The senior representatives met to evaluate the results achieved over the past year and to take decisions concerning the challenges that lie ahead for the Centre.
The Steering Group meeting, outstandingly supported by personnel of the French Air Force, ended with a simple, but heartfelt ceremony that celebrated the bi-annual handover of the Directorship of the Centre from BG. Philippe LANDICHEFF (FRA) to MG. Francisco GONZALEZ ESPRESATI AMIAN (ESP).
MG. GONZALEZ ESPRESATI AMIAN, Chief of Staff of Air Combat Command in Torrejon Spain, is the third international representative of the 7 member nations on this appointment, taking over the management of the Centre. At the end of the ceremony, the Steering Group members, their staff and the new DEPRC were able to continue the conversations and the exchange of ideas in a proactive and sharing atmosphere.
The EPRC is an international body created by 7 countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom) with the aim of improving the four phases of “Personnel Recovery” by developing and harmonizing Policy, Doctrine and Standards through clear lines of communications with nations and international organizations.
Inaugurated by the Italian Minister of Defence on 8 July 2015, it is hosted at the Italian Air Force base in Poggio Renatico (Ferrara). The Centre deals with all issues related to “Personnel Recovery”, which is defined as the sum of military, diplomatic and civil efforts to effectively recover and reintegrate isolated personnel, who find themselves separated from their Units/Organizations, back to friendly control. The Centre also deals with Concept Development and Evaluation, Education and Training, Lessons Identified/Learned and Operational Support.