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Military Airlift and Air-to-Air Refuelling
3 December - 5 December 2024
Military Airlift and Air-to-Air Refuelling

SAE Media Group are delighted to announce the return of the 25th annual Military Airlift and Air-to-Air Refuelling conference, taking place this year in Madrid, Spain on the 3-4 December 2024.

Building on our acclaimed 2023 edition, the conference remains the preeminent forum for the international air mobility and airlift community – providing critical perspectives from heavy and tactical airlift, rotary wing and AAR industries.

We are also delighted, once again, to run the post-conference site visit, available to all registered attendees, on 5 December. This year we are visiting the Getafe Air Base, a short distance from the conference hotel, providing us with an exclusive behind the scenes look at Airbus’ MRTT industrial process and insight into the Spanish Air Force’s operations out of Getafe.

 

 

FEATURED SPEAKERS

 Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Garcia Allen

Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Garcia Allen

Project Officer, Pacific Skies Deployment, Air Mobility Command , Spanish Air and Space Force
Colonel Gioacchino

Colonel Gioacchino "Jack" Cassara

Director, MCCE
Colonel Ludger Bette

Colonel Ludger Bette

Commander, MMU
Laurent Donnet

Laurent Donnet

Managing Director, AviDonn Consulting
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gerd Schwiedessen

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gerd Schwiedessen

Former Project Officer Aviation, European Defence Agency (Ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel Andrius Stuknys

Lieutenant Colonel Andrius Stuknys

Chief of Engineering, Lithuanian Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Achterholt

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Achterholt

Commanding Officer SALCC, Strategic Airlift Coordination Cell (SALCC)

Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Garcia Allen

Project Officer, Pacific Skies Deployment, Air Mobility Command , Spanish Air and Space Force
 Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Garcia Allen

PERSONAL DETAILS:

DATE OF BIRTH:
MARITAL STATUS: May 19th, 1978 Salamanca, Spain
Married
CHILDREN: 2

EDUCATION:

SPANISH AIR FORCE ACADEMY MILITARY OFFICER AND JET FIGHTER PILOT ACADEMY
GRADUATED JULY 2003
LANGUAGES SPANISH (NATIVE)
ENGLISH (FLUENT)

EMPLOYMENTS:

15TH WING
McDONNELL DOUGLAS EF-18
ZARAGOZA AFB
15TH WING Ops Commander SEP 2024 - TODAY

JMOVA / Air Mobility Command

Ops Branch AUG 2016 – SEP 2024
AAR coordinator
15TH WING
McDONNELL DOUGLAS EF-18
ZARAGOZA AFB FIGHTER GROUP JUL 2004- AUG 2014
EXAMINATOR, INSTRUCTOR, PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC), DISPLAY PILOT AND EF-18 TESTER PILOT.
- Commanded MNPS, P-RNAV, CAT III NO DH, LVTO, RVSM in Europe and USA.
- Display Pilot from 2009 to 2012 (4 full seasons).
- EF-18 Tester pilot since 2010.
- EF-18 Instructor since 2010.
- JUL 2005- NOV 2008 Chief of planning section.
- Major, Flight Ops scheduler.

741TH GROUP
CASA C-101 AVIOJET
SALAMANCA AFB RETRAINING SCHOOL JUL 2003-JUN 2004
PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC)
- Commanded MNPS, P-RNAV, CAT II,


FLYING EXPERIENCE:


AIRPLANE TYPE PIC SIC CREWMEMBER - SO TOTAL HOURS
MD EF-18 HORNET 1209:50 50:55 00:00 1260:45
NORTHROP F-5 06:55
(SOLO) 107:10 00:00 114:05
CASA C101 Aviojet 196:45 108:15 00:00 305:00
ENAER T35C Tamiz 02:35
(SOLO) 45:45 00:10 48:30
TOTAL HOURS 1416:05 312:05 00:10 1728:20


OTHER :

COURSES - Tactical Leadership Programme.
- Flight Safety course.
- Advance planning & performance.

 

Brigadier Francisco Bento Antunes Neto

Head of the Air Operations Command, Brazilian Air Force
Brigadier Francisco Bento Antunes Neto

Promotions
ENTRY IN SERVICE 01 FEV 1990

POSTO DATA POSTO DATA
OFFICER CADET 26 NOV 1993 MAJOR 31 AGO 2007
2° LIEUTENANT 31 AGO 1994 LIEUTENANT COLONEL 31 AGO 2012
1° LIEUTENANT 31 AGO 1996 COLONEL 31 AGO 2016
CAPITAIN 31 AGO 2002 BRIGADIER 25 NOV 2021


ACADEMIC AND IMPROVEMENT COURSES


? Air Force Academy Aviator Officer Course.
? Air Tactics Course.
? Officer Improvement Course.
? Command and Staff Course.
? Master's Degree in Inter-American Defense and Security.

 


Duties

? Head of the Technical Inspectorate of the Supply and Maintenance Squadron - Santa Maria Air Base (BASM)
? Chief of Maintenance Section of 1º/14º Aviation Group.
? Chiefof Operations Section of 1º/14º Aviation Group.
? Chief of the Third General Staff Section of the Third Air Force.
? Commander of Anápolis Air Base.
? Wing 2 Commander.
? Chief of the Operational Readiness Division of the Readiness Command.
? Advisor at the Inter-American Defense College.
? President of the Space Systems Coordination and Implementation Committee..


Medals

? Santos Dumont Medal of Merit.
? Military Gold Medal
? Order of Aeronautical Medal.
? Brigadier Nero Moura Operational Merit” Medal
? Inter-American Defense Board Medal
? Tiradentes Order of Merit Medal; Grand Cross Degree

Brigadier General Miguel Orduña

Chief of the Plans Division, General Staff of the Air Force, Spanish Air and Space Force
Brigadier General Miguel Orduña

Brigadier General Orduna is in charge of the Plans and Policy Directorate of the Air Staff since 5th,
August 2022. From this position is responsible to provide support to the Chief of Staff decisions,
translate them into orders, and check their fulfilment. The global organization and planning of the Spanish Air and Space Force in the middle and long term falls also into his duties, as well as
keeping updated the plans, and the definition, supervision and coordination of the programs derived from them.


His previous assignment, as Colonel, was Commander of the Albacete Air Force Base and the 14th Wing. As Colonel, previously, he acted as Defence Counsellor in the Spanish Permanent
Representation to the North Atlantic Council, in Brussels.

His professional experience equally shares operative assignments as a fighter pilot with the
responsibilities of management in staff posts. In addition, he commanded a Spanish Air Force
Tactical Airlift Detachment in Libreville, Gabon, for four months, in 2014.
In different periods he has been working in administration, management, consulting, and advise duties as Staff Officer in the Office of the Chief of Staff (Madrid), in the Air Combat Command HQ (Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid), in the Air Staff, Plans and Policy Division (Madrid), and in the Defence Policy Directorate of the Spanish MoD.


As a pilot, he has flown the F-5 in the Fighter School at 23rd Wing in Badajoz, EF-18 aircraft in 12th Wing (Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid) and 15th Wing (Saragossa), Eurofighters in the 11th Wing (Moron de la Frontera, Seville) and in the 14th Wing (Albacete). He has accumulated more than 3000 flight hours in this kind of jets.
As member of the XLII class of the Air Force Academy, he gain his Lieutenant rank in July 1990.

Colonel Andrea Quaglia

OPS Chief, 46th Air Brigade, Italian Air Force
Colonel Andrea Quaglia

Colonel Andrea QUAGLIA was born on March 31, 1975.
He attended the Air Force Academy from 1994 to 1998. At the end of his academic career he graduated in Aeronautical Sciences from the University of Naples (1998).
On July 1999 he obtained his military pilot's license at the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB in Texas (USA) on T-38 aircraft.
On January 2000, at the end of the Copilot Initial Qualification Course carried out on the C-130H aircraft at Little Rock AFB base (Arkansas), he was assigned to the 50th Squadron of the 46th Air Brigade.
Since 2001 he flew NATO missions in Kosovo, EX-Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and since 2002 he has been employed as a pilot within the Brigade’s detachment in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
On September 2002 he attended the C-130J Pilot Course at Locked Martin in Marietta - Georgia (USA) and in August 2003 he was assigned to the 2nd Squadron. From May 2003 he worked as a pilot of the component of the Multinational Force employed on behalf of the UN in operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Manas (KYRGYZSTAN) .
In the same year he held the position of Head of Operations and Plans Unit of the 7th detachment in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
He obtained the qualifications of Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot in November 2004 and May 2008 respectively.
From June 2005 to September 2006 he held the position of Senior Officer in charge of the 2nd Normal Course at the Air Force Academy.
Having returned to the 46th Air Brigade, in 2007 he was deployed several times at the JATF in Herat (Afghanistan), as part of the ISAF Operation, also holding the position of ITAF Task Group Commander.
In September 2013, after the role of Operations Section Chief, he assumed the Command of the 2nd Flight Group.
Since 2016 he has been assigned to the Operational Forces Command - General Staff, where he held the positions of Force Generation Section Chief and Ops Coordination Section Chief.
Promoted to Colonel in 2018, again within the Operational Forces Command, he first held the position of Deputy Head of Office of the Chief Of Staff and subsequently of Deputy Head of Ops Coordination Office.
Reassigned to the 46th Air Brigade, from April 2022 to October 2023 he held the position of the International Training Centre’s Commander.
On 18 October 2023 he assumed the role of Chief of Base Operations Office of the 46th Air Brigade.
He has approximately 4000 flight hours, of which more than 3000 on the C-130 H/J aircraft and is qualified on the following aircraft: SF-260, T-37, T-38, MB-339A

Colonel Gioacchino "Jack" Cassara

Director, MCCE
Colonel Gioacchino "Jack" Cassara

Col. Gioacchino Cassarà is an Officer of the Italian Air Force.
He was born in Partinico (Sicily – Italy) in 1971, entered the Italian
Air Force Academyin 1990 and earned his commission in September
1993.
After Navigator training at Randolph AFB (USA) - (1995-1996), Lecce
AFB (IT) (1996), TTTE Cottesmore (UK) (1996) and Coningsby RAF
(UK) (1996-1997) he has been assigned as a Navigator and Weapon
System Operator at 53rd Wing Cameri (ITAF), and after at 36th Wing
Gioia del Colle (ITAF), flying Tornado F3 - ADV (Air Defense Variant)
for almost ten years. He has participated in numerous international
exercises and operations.
He has been assigned at 4th Wing Grosseto from 2004 to 2009
managing the implementation of the Eurofighter (EF-2000) Ground
School and Synthetic Training at the 20thSquadron OCU (Operational
Conversion Unit).
His duties have also included a KFOR assignment (2008-2009) as
Chief Air Operation at MNTF-W (Multi-National Task Force West –
Pec - Kosovo), Chief Flying Safety Office and Chief Training and
Standardization 4
th Wing Grosseto (ITAF), Chief Program ASTA
(Aircrew Synthetic Training Aids) - Eurofighter Program.
He has flown mainly as a Navigator / Weapon System Operator in the
Air Defense Role with more than 1600 fast jets flying hours, including
around 300 combat hours.
Promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 2009 he was seconded as Chief of Italian National Representative at MCCE (Movement
Coordination Centre Europe) in Eindhoven (NL) where he took the duty of AAR Staff Officer (2009-2010) and AAR Branch
Chief (2010-2013).
Promoted Colonel, in 2013, he has served at the Air Mobility and Special Forces Command in Rome (2013-2016) as
Chief of Weapon Systems Efficiency.
Commander of Brindisi Air Force Base (2016-2018) he has also served in the Air Force Logistic Command as Chief of
1
stOffice - Planning, Logistics and Infrastructure Organization (2019-2020), as Chief of 4
th Office – Standardization (2018-
2022) and Chief of Programs/Projects and Quality Office (2018-2022).
In September 2022, he assumed the duties as Director of the Movement Coordination Centre Europe in Eindhoven
Airforce Base, The Netherlands.

Colonel Harry Oostema

Vice Commander, Heavy Airlift Wing
Colonel Harry Oostema

Colonel Ludger Bette

Commander, MMU
Colonel Ludger Bette

 Colonel Ludger Bette, born on Oct 14, 1961 in Olsberg / Germany
married, one son and one daughter

 

Military Assignments

07/81 Joined German Air Force after High School
10/81 – 12/85
Officers education and University degree in Air – and Space Technology/ Engineering

07/86 – 07/88
Basic and Advanced Flying Training with Lufthansa

08/88 – 05/95
Transport Pilot C-160 with ATW 62

06/95 – 07/98
Squadron Leader Training Squadron ATW 62
08/98 – 08/00
Branch Chief Plans & Policy German Air Transport Command

09/00 – 06/03
Commander Flying Group ATW 62
07/03 – 06/06
German Air Force Office / Air Staff MOD Bonn, Strategic Airlift Interim Solution for the NATO PCC and EU ECAP initiatives

07/06 – 02/10

2007/2008
Wing / Base Commander ATW 61

Wing Commander Air Force Operational Wing Termez, UZB (ISAF)

02/10 – 07/10
NATO Defense College Senior Course 116
08/10 – 05/12

06/12 – 11/14


12/14 – 03/20

04/20 – 10/22

04/23
Branch Chief Mission Controlling European Air Transport Command

Deputy Head Operational Division European Air Transport Command and German Senior National Representative

Wing / Base Commander ATW 62

Head J379 Division Bundeswehr Joint Forces Operations Command

Commander Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit

 

Colonel Ryan Stepp

Vice Commandant, Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC)
Colonel Ryan Stepp

Colonel Ryan C. Stepp serves as the Vice Commandant of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC) 139th Airlift Wing, at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, Saint Joseph, Missouri. He oversees the daily operations of the school and its 7 tactical courses.

Colonel Stepp completed a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO, and then completed his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Colonel Stepp was commissioned through the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tennessee. Undergraduate Pilot Training followed soon after with primary at Laughlin AFB Del Rio, TX and advanced also in Texas at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. After Pilot Initial Qualification at Little Rock AFB, Colonel Stepp returned to the 180th to serve as a C-130 Pilot. During this time, Colonel Stepp has served in multiple operations including JOINT FORGE, ALLIED FORCE, PROVIDE PROMISE, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, JOINT ENTERPRISE, CORONET OAK, and PERSISTENT PRESENCE.

Within the 139th Airlift Wing, Colonel Stepp acted from 2000 to today as a C-130 Pilot, advancing through the years as an instructor, evaluator, and now a Weapons Officer. He is responsible for some of the most noteworthy achievements of the 139th AW over the last five years. He led the AATTC involvement in Mobility Guardian ’23. He was the Mission Commander for the Wing involvement in TARANG SHAKTI 24, and codified the partnership with the Missouri Institute of Defense and Energy. He has also served as the Chief of Plans and Programs, Chief of Current Operations, Chief of Weapons and Tactics, Weapons School instructor, 180th Airlift Squadron Director of Operations, 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron Interim Commander, 139th Operations Support Squadron Commander, Deputy Operations Group Commander, and is currently the Vice Commandant at the AATTC. Colonel Stepp is a Command Pilot with over 3800 total hours, and more than 230 combat sorties.

Laurent Donnet

Managing Director, AviDonn Consulting
Laurent Donnet

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gerd Schwiedessen

Former Project Officer Aviation, European Defence Agency (Ret.)
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gerd Schwiedessen

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hardy

Commander, 100th Operations Support Squadron 100th OSS, RAF Mildenhall
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hardy

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hardy is the Commander, 100th Operations Support Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom. He leads 135 personnel responsible for aircrew support, mission planning and execution for 15 KC-135 assigned aircraft. Additionally, he manages and maintains the airfield supporting 2 tenant wings and over 5,000 transient aircraft per year executing the United States Air Force’s global mission.

Lt Col. Hardy received his commission through ROTC from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and a Joint All Domain Operational Strategist. He served on the Joint Staff (J7) as a Deputy Division Chief, Joint Force Development Strategist, and Special Access Program Coordinator as well as Headquarters Air Force (A5/7) as the Chief of Tanker Integration and Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff. Prior to his current position, Lt Col. Hardy served as the Chief of Safety, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, U.K.

He is a senior pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours and over 240 combat missions in operations Enduring Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve, Oaken Steel, and Juniper Micron. Lt Col. Hardy was born in Milwaukee, WI and currently resides in Beck Row, England with his wife Rachael from Spokane, WA and their children Micah (7), Hannah (5), Silas (3), and Emily (1).

Lieutenant Colonel Andrius Stuknys

Chief of Engineering, Lithuanian Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel Andrius Stuknys

Lieutenant Colonel April Brown

Deputy Commander, 100th Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall
Lieutenant Colonel April Brown

Lt Col April Brown is the Deputy Commander, 100th
Operations Group, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United
Kingdom. The 100 OG is responsible for the planning,
scheduling, and execution of all United States Air
Forces in Europe air refueling operations as well as the
mission readiness, mobilization, employment, training
and standardization of 15 KC-135 aircraft and over 240
active duty and civilian personnel supporting the
European and African theatres. Prior to her current
position, while assigned to Royal Air Force Mildenhall,
she has served as the Commander, 100th Operations
Support Squadron and Chief of Wing Safety.
Lt Col Brown commissioned in the Air Force after
graduating from the United States Air Force Academy
in 2006. She has served in operational flying
assignments supporting Air Mobility Command at Little
Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas and United States Air
Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as a
combat proven Instructor Pilot in the C-130J “Super
Hercules.” She then completed Air Mobility
Command’s sponsored professional development
program, Phoenix Horizon – Reach, designed to cultivate officers with a strong foundation in rapid, global mobility.
In this capacity, she served in Pacific Air Force at Kadena Air Base, Japan as an Instructor Pilot in the KC-135
“Stratotanker.” Lt Col Brown has over 2,000 flying hours and almost 700 combat hours in support of Operation
ENDURING FREEDOM. Previously, she was assigned to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, leading the Tanker Airlift Control
Center’s Tanker Allocation Division directing the utilization of 59 KC-10 and 182 KC-135 aircraft supporting more
than 10,000 sorties, 27,000 receivers and 236,000,000 pounds of fuel annually.

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Achterholt

Commanding Officer SALCC, Strategic Airlift Coordination Cell (SALCC)
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Achterholt

 Since 2024 Commanding Officer, Strategic Airlift Coordination Cell, Eindhoven NLD

2021 - 2024 S3 Staff Officer, Logistics Battalion 161, Delmenhorst


2018 - 2021 Squadron Leader, Supply&Transport Squadron, Air Transport Wing 62, Wunstorf


2017 - 2018 M&T Officer, German Movement and Coordination Center, Wilhelmshaven

2014 - 2017 M&T Officer, German Armed Forces Command USA/CAN, Reston VA, USA

2013 – 2014 Instructor for Business Informatics, Technical School of the Air Force, Fassberg

2012 - 2013 Platoon Leader, Centralized Motor Vehicle Services, Fighter Wing 71 “R”, Wittmund

2010 - 2012 Training for M&T Officer, Air Transport Wing 62, Wunstorf

2006 - 2010 Studied Industrial Engineering, Helmut Schmidt University, University of the German Armed Forces, Hamburg

2005 - 2006 Officer Candidate, Officer School of the Air Force, Fürstenfeldbruck

2004 – 2005 Conscript, Transport Helicopter Regiment 15, Rheine-Bentlage

2004 Joined German Armed Forces, Basic Training, Transport Helicopter Regiment 10, Celle

Lieutenant Colonel Olin Johnson

Division Head, Airlift Coordination Center ALCC, NATO Deployable Air Command & Control Centre
Lieutenant Colonel Olin Johnson

Major Mirko Micali

Squadron Commander, 14th Wing- 8th Squadron, Italian Air Force
Major Mirko Micali

Major MICALI was born in MESSINA, on the 26th of Nov. 1985.
He joined the Air Force Academy in 2004 and concluded the Aeronautical Pilot Course in 2010.
In October 2010 he was assigned at the 14th Wing – Pratica di Mare Air Base.
Between 2010 and 2013, he was assigned to 71th Squadron, flying Piaggio P-180, with the primary duties of VIP transportation and radio measurements control and validation.
From 2013, he is assigned, within the 14th Wing, to the 8th Squadron, where he has performed numerous duties in the field of training and operations.
In 2019 he attended the Normal Staff Course at the ISMA in Florence.
From 2020 – 2022 he was three times Commander of the Tactical Air Refuelling Squadron “Breus” in Kuwait within the framework of Inherent Resolve mission.
In 2022 he attended Instructor Course on KC-767A.
Since September 2023 he is the 8th Squadron Commander.
Major MICALI flew more than 4000 hours in different types of aircraft with more than 1000 in Combat Operations.
On his service sheet are recorded several praises and medals.
Major MICALI is married and has two children.

Maria Angeles Marti Martinez

Head of Tanker, Transport and Mission Aircraft Programmes - Air Power, Airbus
Maria Angeles Marti Martinez

Maria Angeles Marti has been Head of Tanker, Transport and Mission Programmes
at Airbus Defence and Space since 1st of October 2022 and is a member of the
Military Air Systems Executive Committee.
She is responsible of the Profit and Loss, actively involved in the market growth, building
trustful customer relationships, and ensuring the End to End coordination and efficiency
of the value chain for contract execution. She is also responsible of the Product Policy,
integrating high level of innovation in the development roadmap of the products,
promoting readiness of key capabilities for today´s and future customer needs.
Maria Angeles has over 23 years of experience in Aeronautics. She lived and worked in
the US and Spain, in multifunctional and multicultural teams. In Airbus her main focus
has been the areas of Manufacturing, Lean, Quality and Program Management, having
50% of her experience in both, Commercial and Defence Divisio.ns.
Previously to his current position, from 2019 to 2022 she was Program Director for the A400M
Developments, bringing the last batches of capabilities to the aircraft in all the domains (transport
and aerial delivery, avionics, systems and defence aids), as well as key innovations as the first
demonstrator of a firefighter. From 2016 to 2022, she was Program Director for the A350,
implementing a step change in development at rate 8 in the production chain while ensuring
industrial stability. From 2011 to 2016, Maria Angeles was the Head of Quality Operations in Military
Aircraft, taking care of 6 plants (subassemblies and Final Assembly Plants) and Supply Chain for all
Programs. More than 400 people giving assurance to the product conformity, and also creating a
culture of “right first time” with innovative quality programs.
In 2002 she joint Airbus, and up to 2011, Maria Angeles worked in Airbus Composite Materials Illescas
Plant in different roles, mainly as quality manager in Non Destructive Testing and Production
Manager for half of the Plant. The last years, she led the Lean transformation of the Plant, turning it
in a benchmark at Airbus Group at that time.
Before 2002, she worked in the US for several years, first as a researcher in composite materials in
the US Cold Lab Research and Engineering Laboratory (Hanover, NH), and after as software engineer
in Fluent Inc. (Hanover, NH), specialized in computer fluid dynamics simulation.
Maria Angeles holds a Master Degree in Electromechanical Engineering from Carlos III University of
Madrid. She also has an MBA from San Telmo Institute of Seville, and a Master in Lean Manufacturing
from the Lean Institute in agreement with University of Cataluña. She holds also several
certifications: Green Belt, Project Management by the US Project Management Institute, and Project
Management Gold from Airbus.

Roberto Guerrero

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Air Force Operational Energy SES, U.S. Air Force
Roberto Guerrero

Mr. Roberto I. Guerrero, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Operational Energy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va. Mr. Guerrero is responsible for providing oversight and direction for all matters pertaining to the formulation, review, and execution of plans, policies and programs for the effective and efficient use of the Air Force’s $5 billion Operational Energy Bill in support of its global mission.

Mr. Guerrero earned his commission as an ensign in the Navy through Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1988 and received his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1989. He held assignments in Florida, California, Virginia and Texas, culminating his Navy career in 1999 as an Operations Officer and Flight Instructor in the T-34C. In 2000, Mr. Guerrero was selected for inter-service transfer to the Air Force. He qualified on the E-3 Sentry (AWACS) and held assignments in Oklahoma and Okinawa, Japan, where he commanded the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron. He later served at the Air Force Safety Center as a Division Chief and concluded his military career as the center's Vice Commander. During his military service, he participated in operations Deep Freeze, Korean Contingency, Noble Eagle, and flew 24 combat missions over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a command pilot with more than 4,100 flight hours, including more than 350 combat hours.

Mr. Guerrero entered the civil service in 2010 where he served as Deputy Chief of Safety, U.S. Air Force, and Executive Director, Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Following this tour of duty, he was Director of Staff, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Georgia.

Stefan Jucken

Director Strategic Business Development Government Services & Solutions GSS, ViaSat Inc.
Stefan Jucken

Benefits of attending

  • Listen to briefings from key allied partners across the strategic and tactical airlift sectors and develop an understanding of programme developments and future requirements
  • Refined focus on the air-to-air refuelling market and how this critical enabler provides mission support
  • Industry presentations from key commercial partners across the domain
  • Learn about key topics within the Military Airlift and AAR community including rotary wing AAR and airlift, resource pooling efforts, humanitarian and disaster relief airlift and rapid response and delivery capability

In light of the growing operational demand as a result of the War in Ukraine there has never been a more important time to view how the critical force multiplier of Military Airlift is employed, at the industrial, national and international levels.

Covering key mission areas such as resource pooling and sharing, humanitarian support, Air-to-Air Refuelling technical updates and news from multi-national and national procurement efforts – this comprehensive conference remains an essential calendar date for those in the airlift and AAR community.

sponsors

Conference agenda

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8:00

Registration & Coffee

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8:50

Chairman's Opening Remarks

Laurent Donnet

Laurent Donnet, Managing Director, AviDonn Consulting

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9:00

Host Nation Keynote Address: Future Airlift and Air-to-Air Refuelling Priorities for the Spanish Air and Space Force

Brigadier General Miguel Orduña, Chief of the Plans Division, General Staff of the Air Force, Spanish Air and Space Force

  • Overview: Mission and Vision of the Spanish Air and Space Force
• Current Airlift and AAR capabilities in operation
• The importance of multinational cooperation and collaboration
to enhance European air transport capacity
• Future plans and priorities to deliver next-generation airlift an

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9:30

Session Reserved for Lead Sponsor - Airbus

Maria Angeles Marti Martinez, Head of Tanker, Transport and Mission Aircraft Programmes - Air Power, Airbus

• An introduction to MRTT+; the next evolution of the A330 Multirole Tanker Transport
• An update on C-295 capabilites; The reliable and versatile workhorse
• An update on A400M capabilities; the Game-changer

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10:00

Indo-Pacific Jump 2024 – Italian Air Force Large Force Package Deployment

Colonel Andrea Quaglia, OPS Chief, 46th Air Brigade, Italian Air Force

  - On June 27, 2024 the Italian Air Force launched a Large Force Package long-range deployment of air assets into the Asian-Pacific region, named “Indo-Pacific Jump 2024”.

- The operation tested the capability of the Air Force to project forces at long distances, to participate in multinational exercises organised by regional allies (Australia and Japan).

- The Air Mobility and Support Command provided the necessary enablers (C-130J, KC-767A and E-550 CAEW) to support the deployment phase and the operation during the exercises, facing new challenges and gaining expertise in new operational environment.

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10:30

Morning Coffee

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11:00

The Embraer C-390 for Europe

• Milestones
• Design
• Performance
• Effectiveness

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11:30

Leveraging the C-390 and KC-390 to Support Global FAB Operations

Brigadier Francisco Bento Antunes Neto, Head of the Air Operations Command, Brazilian Air Force

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12:00

Pacific Skies 2024 - MMU is Taking Part in an Historic Around-the-World Tour

Colonel Ludger Bette, Commander, MMU

• European presence in the Indo-Pacific region
• One deployment – 5 exercises
• MMU – an important force enabler

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12:30

Networking Lunch

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13:30

MCCE: Delivering Flexible Solutions for its Participating Nations and Partners

Colonel Gioacchino "Jack" Cassara, Director, MCCE

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14:00

Resilient Wideband SATCOM for Enhanced Airlift Operations

Stefan Jucken

Stefan Jucken, Director Strategic Business Development Government Services & Solutions GSS, ViaSat Inc.

• How to create Enhanced Multi-Role Transport (MRT) Aircraft to become high-throughput data pipes to support TAC C2 and SA, extend the COP across the battlespace, and connect joint and coalition partners operating on different Tactical Datalinks for Combined Joint All Domain Command & Control (CJADC2)
• Mature, trusted and currently-available solutions for global multi-orbit, multi-band and multi-network wideband airborne connectivity.

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14:30

Strategic Airlift for Over and Outsized Cargo

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Achterholt, Commanding Officer SALCC, Strategic Airlift Coordination Cell (SALCC)

 • Potential solutions for satisfying the current airlift capability and
capacity gap
• Outlining joint operational concepts for airlift operations
• The next generation of strategic airlift provision
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Achterholt, Commanding Of

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15:00

Afternoon Tea

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15:30

KC-135 RTIC Modifications Incorporate Tactical Datalink (TDL) Communications

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hardy, Commander, 100th Operations Support Squadron 100th OSS, RAF Mildenhall

 • Past - Tanker Communications During Post 0-11
(Afghanistan & Iraq)
• Present - RTIC Implementation (Airframe upgrades, training,
implementation, etc.)
• Future - How RTIC will enable operations in a contested
environment & stepping stone to JADC2
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hardy, Command

clock

16:00

Harmonizing Alliance Airlift

Lieutenant Colonel Olin Johnson

Lieutenant Colonel Olin Johnson, Division Head, Airlift Coordination Center ALCC, NATO Deployable Air Command & Control Centre

 • Who and what is the ALCC?
• What lessons have been learned from ALCC operations?
• Coordinating national assets to ensure rapid and effective
multinational airlift capabilities

clock

16:30

Chairman’s Closing Remarks and Close of Day One

Laurent Donnet

Laurent Donnet, Managing Director, AviDonn Consulting

clock

8:50

Registration & Coffee

clock

9:20

Chairman's Opening Remarks

Laurent Donnet

Laurent Donnet, Managing Director, AviDonn Consulting

clock

9:30

Host Nation Opening Keynote: Pacific Skies Operational Requirements

Lieutenant Colonel Fernando Garcia Allen, Project Officer, Pacific Skies Deployment, Air Mobility Command , Spanish Air and Space Force

• Planning process considerations. Spanish view.
• Cooperation / collaboration with EATC and Participating
Nations in the project.
• Conclusions and lessons learned

clock

10:00

No Fuel, No Fight: Air Force Operational Energy

Roberto Guerrero, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Air Force Operational Energy SES, U.S. Air Force

 • Overview of the mission of Air Force Operational Energy
• How OE Initiatives are providing increased combat capability for great power competition
• Creating an energy-aware culture in today’s Department of the Air Force

clock

10:30

Morning Coffee

clock

11:15

Supporting 12 Member Nations at the Heavy Airlift Wing

Colonel Harry Oostema

Colonel Harry Oostema, Vice Commander, Heavy Airlift Wing

  • Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) operate a small fl eet of three C-17
Globemaster III, with mixed crews and staff from our 12 member
nations
• The legal framework for the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) as
an independent and multinational program assuring access to
strategic military airlift capability for its 12 nations.
• Interoperability by sharing common equipment and personnel
that interact, connect and communicate on daily missions.
• SAC program has proven that nations can through the concept
‘Pooling and Sharing’ cover defi cient capabilities, like heavy airlift,
in an effective way.

clock

11:45

Training the next Generation of Warfighters to Support Airlift Operations

Colonel Ryan Stepp, Vice Commandant, Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC)

  • Overview of AATTC’s mission brief to enhance warfi ghting
effectiveness and survivability
• Training opportunities for Mobility Aircrew and Intelligence
professionals
• Supporting the USAF and opportunities for allied participation

clock

12:15

Networking Lunch

clock

13:15

Supporting USAFE’s Air Refuelling Operations Across Europe and Africa

Lieutenant Colonel April Brown, Deputy Commander, 100th Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall

 • Planning, intelligence support, scheduling and execution of
USAFE operations
• Supporting operations in multi-service, allied and coalition receiver
aircraft, training, exercise and contingency missions
• Assessment of global challenges and preparing for the future of
AAR operations

clock

13:45

Assessing the Next Generation of Platforms – What Will They Look Like?

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gerd Schwiedessen

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Gerd Schwiedessen, Former Project Officer Aviation, European Defence Agency (Ret.)

• The integration of AI, unmanned & autonomous systems into operations
• Assessing the pros and cons of radically different platforms vs incremental upgrades
• Predicting future operational requirements to assist informed acquisition processes

clock

14:15

Networking Break

clock

15:00

Lithuanian Airlift Capabilities

Lieutenant Colonel Andrius Stuknys

Lieutenant Colonel Andrius Stuknys, Chief of Engineering, Lithuanian Air Force

• Operating C-27J Aircraft
• Missions performed and training in EDA exercises
• Logistics Support

clock

15:30

Capabilities Provided by 14th Wing and Recent Developments

• The requirements to ensure future airlift capability is maintained and at a high standard
• Areas for development in the Italian Air Force and lessons identified from previous development
• Current and future acquisition priorities

Major Mirko Micali, Squadron Commander, 14th Wing- 8th Squadron, Italian Air Force

clock

16:00

Chairman’s Closing Remarks and Close of Day Two

Laurent Donnet

Laurent Donnet, Managing Director, AviDonn Consulting

clock

8:30

Departure from Hotel

clock

8:45

Arrival at Getafe Air Force Base

Delegates to arrive at Getafe Air base and be welcomed by Spanish Air Force 

clock

9:00

Welcome to Getafe Airbase - Coffee and Refreshments

Spanish Air Force Staff

Spanish Air Force Staff, ,

clock

9:35

Spanish Air Force Briefing

Spanish Air Force Staff

Spanish Air Force Staff, ,

clock

10:45

Visit to Spanish AF C-295

Spanish Air Force Staff

Spanish Air Force Staff, ,

clock

10:55

Transfer to Airbus Getafe Site

Delegates to depart from Getafe Air Force Base and return to the hotel

clock

11:15

Introduction to Airbus Getafe Site and MRTT Industrial process

Airbus Staff

Airbus Staff, , Getafe Air Force Base

clock

11:40

Visit MRTT Final Assembly Line

Airbus Staff

Airbus Staff, , Getafe Air Force Base

clock

12:45

Site Visit Finish and Return to Hotel


Project Officer, Pacific Skies Deployment, Air Mobility Command
Spanish Air and Space Force
Head of the Air Operations Command
Brazilian Air Force
Chief of the Plans Division, General Staff of the Air Force
Spanish Air and Space Force
OPS Chief, 46th Air Brigade
Italian Air Force
Director
MCCE
Vice Commander
Heavy Airlift Wing
Commander
MMU
Vice Commandant
Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center (AATTC)
Managing Director
AviDonn Consulting
Former Project Officer Aviation
European Defence Agency (Ret.)
Commander, 100th Operations Support Squadron 100th OSS
RAF Mildenhall
Chief of Engineering
Lithuanian Air Force
Deputy Commander, 100th Operations Group
RAF Mildenhall
Commanding Officer SALCC
Strategic Airlift Coordination Cell (SALCC)
Division Head, Airlift Coordination Center ALCC
NATO Deployable Air Command & Control Centre
Squadron Commander, 14th Wing- 8th Squadron
Italian Air Force
Head of Tanker, Transport and Mission Aircraft Programmes - Air Power
Airbus
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Air Force Operational Energy SES
U.S. Air Force
Director Strategic Business Development Government Services & Solutions GSS
ViaSat Inc.

Gold Sponsor

Sponsors

Exhibitors

VENUE

NH Madrid Ventas

Biarritz, 2, Madrid, Spain

A number of our clients have been approached by third party organisations offering to book hotel rooms. We would advise that you do not book through them as they are not representing the SMi Group. SMi Group books all hotel rooms directly. If you are approached by a third party organisation then please contact us before making any bookings. If you have already booked a hotel room using a third party organisation, we would highly recommend contacting the hotel you were booked into to ensure a booking has been made for you. We would also advise you to please check the terms and conditions of the booking carefully.
HOTEL BOOKING FORM

Past Presentation - LtCol (DEU Air Force) Harald STRUZYNA

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Past Presentation - Colonel Gioacchino CASSARÀ

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Past Presentation - Brigadier general Fabrice Feola

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Past Presentation - Brigadier-General João Nogueira

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Past Presentation - Lt Col Derek Rankin

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Past Presentation - Colonel GS Stefan Kleinheyer

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Brochure

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Speaker Interview - Lt Col Olin Johnson

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Sponsors and Exhibitors


Embraer

Gold Sponsor
http://www.embraer.com

Embraer is a global company with more than 50 years of aerospace expertise. In addition to the A-29 Super Tucano, an advanced training and light attack aircraft, and the C-390 Millennium, a multi-mission military transport aircraft, it offers a complete line of integrated solutions for air, space, sea, land, and cyber systems. With more than 8.000 aircraft delivered and solutions present in more than 60 Governments and Armed Forces, Embraer offers solutions for land applications such as Command and Control (C4I), sensors, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), information systems, communication, border monitoring and surveillance, naval combat and management systems, and integration of geostationary satellites for communication and observation. In the cyber area, it provides complete solutions for business protection and defense and security applications.


Sponsors


Viasat

Sponsors
https://www.viasat.com/defense/

Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be securely connected. With deep roots in defense and a modern, commercial-driven mindset, we use our 35+ years of experience in breaking down communications silos to help create seamless interoperability across complex forms of connectivity: Broadband Satcom. Tactical Networking. Advanced Cybersecurity. We deliver the secure and scalable communications our partners need to operate as a successful team, whether large or small—and maximize their collective strength when it’s needed most.


Exhibitors


Jetex

Exhibitors
https://www.jetex.com/

An award-winning global leader in executive aviation, Jetex is recognized for delivering flexible, best-in-class trip support solutions to customers worldwide. Jetex provides exceptional private terminals (FBOs), aircraft fueling, ground handling and global trip planning. The company caters to both owners and operators of business jets for corporate, commercial and personal air travel. To find out more about Jetex, visit www.jetex.com and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn



port city air

Exhibitors
https://www.portcityair.com/

Port City Air is located at the Portsmouth International Airport KPSM along the beautiful New Hampshire coastline. Over the past 20-years Port City Air has developed a quiet reputation for exceeding expectations. Growing its wide and robust variety of ground support equipment, and 200,000-gallon (90,9218 liters) fuel capacity, refueling fleet as well as investment in employee training and retention that’s resulted in unmatched experience, unrivaled capabilities and extremely high service levels.

Based at a FAA Part 139 Airport with nonstop airport operations and a 11,321’ X 150’ (3450.6 x 45.7-meter) runway and unlimited weight bearing capacity for all GA, commercial, cargo and military aircraft. Also having continuous ATC and ARFF/CFR and 24/7 U.S. Customs Port of Entry. Port City Air also has high-capacity passenger clearance in our newly renovated passenger terminal with two jet bridge operations. We have a full-service cargo operation available to support any operational needs. With Forklifts up to 30K pounds, a Commander 30i Main Deck Loader and a Lantis Belly Loader we can support any aircraft anytime.

Experienced airport winter operations team supported by large fleet of modern GPS tracked snow removal equipment that can clear all 11,321' of runway and main taxiways in under 20 minutes.

More than just an FBO, Port City Air has an extensive fleet of ground handling vehicles. Including Four De-Ice trucks Type I & IV with reach to tail of B74 and 10 Jet A fuel trucks. With multiple fuel farms and top-of the-line, reliable ground support giving us built in redundancy ensuring we always have what is needed when its needed. Add to this, a dedicated core of highly trained line service technicians and exceptionally attentive customer service teams we are Ready, Willing and Able to support any flight operation 24/7/365.

Welcome to Port City Air, expect the unexpected!



Prestwick Aviation Services

Exhibitors
http://prestwickaviationservices.com/



RAM Aerospace and Defence Solutions

Exhibitors
http://ramairt.com/en/

RAM Aerospace & Defense Solutions is a leading provider of comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for both military and civil aviation. With a global footprint and decades of experience, RAM offers top-tier solutions designed to optimize the operational readiness and lifespan of a wide range of aircraft, from helicopters to large commercial planes. At the heart of RAM’s offerings is its expertise in solving obsolescence challenges, providing life extension solutions for components facing discontinuation or end-of-life. This includes maintaining an extensive stock of components and parts for legacy and new aircraft, ensuring rapid turnaround times for critical repairs and support.

RAM is renowned for its AOG (Aircraft on Ground) 24/7 support services, which enable operators to minimize downtime and maintain operational readiness in the most demanding situations. Additionally, the company provides aircraft inspections, repair management, and customer on-site warehouse solutions, further enhancing its comprehensive service portfolio. The company’s highly skilled technicians, each with over 20 years of experience, are certified to work on a variety of aircraft models, including the Black Hawk, C-130, Boeing 737, and Bell 412.

RAM’s extensive capabilities cover everything from avionics and structural repairs to full aircraft inspections, ensuring customers receive unparalleled service quality. With certifications from major regulatory bodies, including the FAA, EASA, and the Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom, RAM is trusted to maintain aircraft to the highest industry standards. Additionally, RAM operates its own storage hangars in strategic locations, including Chile, further solidifying its position as a reliable partner in the aerospace and defense sectors.



Rolls-Royce

Exhibitors
http://www.rolls-royce.com

Rolls-Royce develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land. Particularly in the air domain, Rolls-Royce is market dominant in military fixed-wing air transport, enjoys generous market share in the latest available and proven tanker aircraft and has secured positions to power the future of military airlift through an extensive range of products and technologies. Overall, Rolls-Royce has a presence in 48 countries and customers in more than 150, comprising over 250 commercial large aero engine customers, 160 armed forces and navies and approximately 40,000 active Power Systems customers. We are committed to becoming a net zero company by 2050 and we support our customers to do the same.


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NH Madrid Ventas

Biarritz, 2
28028
Spain

NH Madrid Ventas

HOTEL BOOKING FORM

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WHAT IS CPD?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development’. It is essentially a philosophy, which maintains that in order to be effective, learning should be organised and structured. The most common definition is:

‘A commitment to structured skills and knowledge enhancement for Personal or Professional competence’

CPD is a common requirement of individual membership with professional bodies and Institutes. Increasingly, employers also expect their staff to undertake regular CPD activities.

Undertaken over a period of time, CPD ensures that educational qualifications do not become obsolete, and allows for best practice and professional standards to be upheld.

CPD can be undertaken through a variety of learning activities including instructor led training courses, seminars and conferences, e:learning modules or structured reading.

CPD AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES

There are approximately 470 institutes in the UK across all industry sectors, with a collective membership of circa 4 million professionals, and they all expect their members to undertake CPD.

For some institutes undertaking CPD is mandatory e.g. accountancy and law, and linked to a licence to practice, for others it’s obligatory. By ensuring that their members undertake CPD, the professional bodies seek to ensure that professional standards, legislative awareness and ethical practices are maintained.

CPD Schemes often run over the period of a year and the institutes generally provide online tools for their members to record and reflect on their CPD activities.

TYPICAL CPD SCHEMES AND RECORDING OF CPD (CPD points and hours)

Professional bodies and Institutes CPD schemes are either structured as ‘Input’ or ‘Output’ based.

‘Input’ based schemes list a precise number of CPD hours that individuals must achieve within a given time period. These schemes can also use different ‘currencies’ such as points, merits, units or credits, where an individual must accumulate the number required. These currencies are usually based on time i.e. 1 CPD point = 1 hour of learning.

‘Output’ based schemes are learner centred. They require individuals to set learning goals that align to professional competencies, or personal development objectives. These schemes also list different ways to achieve the learning goals e.g. training courses, seminars or e:learning, which enables an individual to complete their CPD through their preferred mode of learning.

The majority of Input and Output based schemes actively encourage individuals to seek appropriate CPD activities independently.

As a formal provider of CPD certified activities, SAE Media Group can provide an indication of the learning benefit gained and the typical completion. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the delegate to evaluate their learning, and record it correctly in line with their professional body’s or employers requirements.

GLOBAL CPD

Increasingly, international and emerging markets are ‘professionalising’ their workforces and looking to the UK to benchmark educational standards. The undertaking of CPD is now increasingly expected of any individual employed within today’s global marketplace.

CPD Certificates

We can provide a certificate for all our accredited events. To request a CPD certificate for a conference , workshop, master classes you have attended please email events@saemediagroup.com

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Opening Hours: 9.00 - 17.30 (local time)
SAE Media Group , Ground Floor, India House, 45 Curlew Street, London, SE1 2ND, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7827 6000 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7827 6001
Website: http://www.smgconferences.com Email: events@saemediagroup.com
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