NATO AWACS Continue to Scan the Horizon

GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany – Taking-off from runway 09 at the NATO Airbase in Geilenkirchen, Germany, the Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft departs for Northern Poland to monitor the airspace along the Alliance’s Eastern borders.

Since March 2014, AWACS aircraft have been dedicated to conduct NATO Assurance Measures flights on a daily basis. Flying at 29,000 feet the AWACS can constantly monitor the airspace within a radius of more than 400 km and can exchange information via digital data links – with ground-based, sea-based and airborne commanders.

“It is really exciting to be part of this mission and to practice real time what we have learned,” said Captain Gary Foshee, an AWACS Passive Controller from the United States Air force. Foshee explains that his job focusses on detection, location, identification and communication of radar information to the relevant commanders.

Three Fighter Controllers, from Germany, Spain and the United States, on board a NATO AWACS aircraft. During this mission, they were giving guidance to Polish fighter pilots over Northern Poland. – Photo by SHAPE Public Affairs Office

“Every day is a puzzle and that makes my job challenging but rewarding,” said Foshee. “It is really interesting to work in this multi-national environment and test our interoperability techniques. However, putting all these pieces together, and sharing that information quickly in order to get a fully identified picture on the screen, adds great operational value.”

Currently the AWACS fleet is operating with 16 aircraft and a team of approximately 2000 people, thereby enabling the unit to respond quickly to cover the entire spectrum of tactical command and control.

The NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF) performs a unique and valuable role for the Alliance by conducting a wide range of missions in both offensive and defensive operations. While the Force’s principal role is air surveillance, it is also able to conduct tactical battle management functions, close air support, battlefield air interdiction, combat search and rescue, reconnaissance, and humanitarian assistance.

The NAEW&CF remains a highly responsive and adaptable force and is one of the immediate readiness elements of the NATO Response Force (NRF).

“The AWACS will be a leading element for the air contributions to the new Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) concept,” said Dutch Major Rob van Leeuwen, an AWACS Tactical Director. “Due to our high readiness posture, within a very short time frame we can be ready to support global command and control operations as directed.”

In October and November the AWACS will play an important role during Exercise Trident Juncture 2015; NATO’s largest exercise since 2002. During the exercise the AWACS will operate from Trapani airbase in Italy, further testing the enhanced VJTF concept.

Source: NATO

L. J. De Rothschild

Senior Editor

NATO Section

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