NATO Tigers - Hard to Be Humble
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2 June 2017 NATO Skywatch 1 Volume 33, No. 5 • 2 June 2017 NATO Tigers - Hard To Be Humble Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. unique printed vinyl adhesive film be removed without damaging the face on the Rotodome strut. These Longfellow followed by a coating to seal it,” material. The material was not solid distinctive graphics are applied on tells, Mr. Gary Simpson, from NAEW&C but perforated and this helped to both sides of this NATO AWACS aircraft. Squadron One’s desire for a Force E-3A Component Logistics Wing, smoothen it, ensuring there were no The cost were roughly 10,000 Euros. ‘tigerized’ aircraft became reality Production Improvement Group. air bubbles,” Simpson says. on May 19, 2017. Before the company could start, the “It was interesting to see how precise Aircraft tail number 458 has for the Component’s Logistic Wing prepared “Two employees from the German this work was performed by these next one-and-a-half years, red tiger the aircraft for arrival inside Hangar 2, company ABC Beschriftungsbedarf professionals. Once the film is put paw scratch marks on the fuselage and washed the areas of interest and placed worked for two days applying this onto the aircraft’s surface, it cannot an artist impression of a growling tiger the necessary maintenance stands. NATO AWACS presents itself to Romania Story and Photo by André Bongers provide assurance to nations on NATO’s AWACS conducted an Assurance Measure Romania joined the NATO Airborne Eastern Flank. From March 2014 sortie over Romania flying with Early Warning and Control Force Monday the 15th of May a NATO NATO AWACS fly assurance measures Romanian guests. They eye-witnessed in 2009 an having their first crew AWACS landed at Henri Coanda missions over Romania on an almost the crew conducting surveillance in an members at MOB Geilenkirchen in International Airport in Bucharest. daily basis. area over 312.000km2. The crew also 2011. During a special event the multi- controlled an exercise with Romanian national crew demonstrated the The day after the event the NATO fighter aircraft. capabilities of the aircraft to the Romanian press. The event was organized next to a quarterly scheduling conference where future plans are made regarding the flying activities of NATO AWACS, in support of the NATO’s Assurance Measures. These missions are flown to conduct air surveillance, enhance NATO’s situational awareness and to 2 June 2017 NATO Skywatch 3 COMMANDER’S CORNER With the Commander’s Corner, our NAEW&CF Commander and E-3A Commander give the opportunity to wing and squadron commanders, and branch and division heads to share their thoughts about current topics taking place at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen. Every month a different writer will highlight a specific topic concerning their discipline. To the most inportant step When military historians describe without having in place a clear running out of fuel (only 10 seconds centuries old military organizations, mutual relationship of trust between of fuel left when they landed). It I feel deep admiration for previous a commander on the capabilities is clear to me that to successfully generations of soldiers and of his troops (on one side), and a accomplish their mission despite commanders. Knowing how limited clear understanding of the overall all unforeseen challenges, as in of giving not appropriate guidance. their means of exercising command commander’s intent and objectives many other human enterprises, the The reason why I am stressing this and control were on the battlefield (on the other). This is the only deep understanding of their overall point on mutual trust is because only magnifies my appreciation of explanation for me on how it could strategic objectives and the deep this is one of the most important these organizations. When huge have been possible for a subordinate mutual trust between the crew and things I have learned at the HQ armies confronted one another on commander and soldier from that era their leadership in the mission control NAEW&C Force GK, perhaps because the field in epic battles of history, it to effectively react to all unexpected room in Houston must have played an of its unique multinational nature. is extremely difficult to understand challenges on the “modern day” extremely important role. This multinational perspective, more how it could have been possible battlefields. than in any other national military to effectively manoeuvre troops. The reason why I am focusing on this organization, makes mutual trust For instance, during the battles The concepts expressed above may topic is because I see similarities of the real glue that keeps everything of Cannae and Waterloo, leaders be transferred to the aviation world. our daily lives in the NAEW&C world. together and the real fuel that keeps communicated using visual signals, The same principles apply to the 1st When I see our people playing vital everybody going. It allows the Force acoustic signals, or by sending World War pilots, who one hundred roles successfully, in spite of all odds to, if not do more with less, for sure written orders with couriers, some on years ago were fighting in the sky and and unforeseen difficulties, it is, in do better with less. For this reason, horseback. Picture the battles where providing effective mutual support many cases, because these people for all I have learned, in all these 45,000 Carthaginians led by Hannibal to their wingmen without having a were fully aware of their overall years that I have spent, from all the defeated 86,000 Roman soldiers led by single radio on board. When I think strategic objectives. Regardless of wonderful people I have met (in this Lucio Emilio Paolo and Gaio Terenzio about this, I truly believe that we how important their role may be, or one of a kind world which is the HQ Varrone in 216 BC or Waterloo could learn a lot from our colleagues how giant the “leap” they are about NAEW&C Force GK), I want to take this where 74,000 French soldiers led by from the past. to jump, they get the job done with opportunity to express my deepest Napoleon battled 115,000 soldiers led an overall understanding of their gratitude and my absolute respect. To by Wellington belonging to a coalition Stepping closer to present day, mission and their commander’s intent. these people, that made or are making of 6 States speaking three different I cannot refrain from expressing On the other hand, for a commander, the real difference, as I walk out from languages in 1815. Prior to and during my sincere admiration again to it is essential to understand that, the E-3A Component, at the end of my these battles, unit commander’s the people that have made early every time a soldier executes an assignment in July, I want to tribute mission planning played a key-role exploration of space possible. When order or follows a guidance, that my most respectful salute, because which was even more important I think of the three men on board soldier is indeed expressing his/ no matter how giant the “leap” we than today for our crewmembers. their Lunar Module on July 20, 1969, her trust in his/her leadership and were involved in, your contribution Nevertheless, as we know, “no battle their exceptional professionalism, therefore it is extremely important was and has always been the most plan survives first contact...” outstanding preparation, shared that a commander doesn’t misuse this important “step”. common goal and mutual trust were trust but that, on the contrary, well It is difficult for me to think that on display for the world. Despite aware of his/her own responsibilities, with such limited means of command wrong information provided by their makes the best use of his/her staff Col. Arturo Di Martino and control, a commander could systems, they were able to safely every time an important decision Operations Wing Commander effectively manoeuvre his troops land on the moon, just in time before has to be made, to minimize the risk HQ NAEW&C Force Commander Atlantic Treaty Organization. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including Maj. Gen. Dawn M. Dunlop inserts or supplements, does not constitute an endorsement by NATO of the products or services advertised. Submissions are due seven days before publication and may be edited Volume 33, No. 5 2 June 2017 Chief, Public Affairs for style and space. Email articles and classified advertisements to [email protected]. Maj. Johannes Glowka NATO Skywatch is an authorized, unofficial For paid advertisements call Hub Durlinger Media at +31 (0)46 4529292, commercial enterprise newspaper published Editor cellphone +31 (0)6 5472 6473, [email protected] or Houx Digiprint under exclusive written agreement with the Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow at +31 (0)46 4582111, [email protected] NAEW&CF E-3A Component by HOUX DIGIPRINT, Arendstraat 3, 6135 KT Sittard, +31 (0)46 4582111. Opinions expressed by contributors are Articles may be reproduced after permission has been obtained from the editor, provided their own and do not necessarily reflect the official views of, or endorsement by, the North mention is made of NATO Skywatch. To read the NATO Skywatch online visit www.e3a.nato.int TEMPORARY OFFICIAL VOLVO MILITARY/DIPLOMAT/EXPAT Altes Brauhaus LODGING SALES AGENT FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION FOR NATO AIRBASE GEILENKIRCHEN, FOR SHORT OR LONG-TERM STAYS. 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