Volume 23, No. 9 NATONATO Air Air Base Base Geilenkirchen Geilenkirchen 16/174 MayJune 2007 2007 NAEW & C Force The Spirit of Alliance Cooperation The acquisition of the E-3A AWACS air surveillance and fighter control aircraft, and the modification of throughout Europe. It now covers associated airfields and ground complex missions for the full system, still represent the largest spectrum of Air Battle Management, endeavors in the history of including air-to-air and air-to-ground NATO multi-nationally funded control, air surveillance and airspace programs. The E-3A Component in management, air policing, combat Geilenkirchen/Germany, being one search and rescue, force marshalling of two Components of the NAEW&C and threat broadcast. Force, is still the Alliance’s only fully integrated multinational flying unit. The E-3A Component in Geilenkirchen, is continuously Today´s evolving security posturing itself, through additional environment is complex and roles and missions, doctrine, training global, and the multidimensional and key equipment, to adapt to concept of security includes roles NATO´s transformation. Its more I congratulate all members of the Since its foundation in 1980, the such as conflict prevention, crisis than 3100 dedicated and skilled E-3A Component, past and present, NATO Airborne Early Warning and and consequence management, military and civilian personnel on their great achievements and Control (NAEW&C) Force has served peacekeeping, support of represent some of the finest people wish you continuing success for the as an outstanding example of the peacemaking, disaster response drawn from the participating nations. future! spirit of Alliance Cooperation. It and humanitarian assistance. They are part of a “NATO success constitutes a highly visible symbol story”, and all who have served over of NATO solidarity and exemplifies Consequently, potential operations the years with the NAEW&C Force a cooperative approach to problem for the NAEW&C Force go far can take pride in their contribution solution. beyond its original role of strategic to peace and security. Major General Axel Tüttelmann Dear visitors to the NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen and the E-3A Component Team E-3A aircraft provided critical air (TCA) transported over 117 tons surveillance and control capabilities of relief supplies to the victims of for NATO that directly led to the end Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and of the Cold War. From July 1992 to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and 68 December 2004, the Component plus tons of cargo for the devastating performed missions in the Balkans earthquake in Pakistan. to uphold the United Nations’ resolutions in the former Yugoslavia. Our influence is not only experienced globally, but also 71,553,157 euro for construction While deployed to Tinker Air Base, locally. For the second year in a projects, services contracts, materials, Oklahoma, as part of Operation Eagle row, the Component conducted an equipment and supplies, a significant Assist, the Component provided Economic Impact Study, compiling 9.7 million euro boost from 2005. surveillance capabilities to the United data for 2006. The study revealed States following the 11 September the NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen’s Our efforts to reduce engine Welcome to the 25th anniversary 2001 terrorist attacks. Almost two financial impact on all neighbouring noise in the surrounding area celebration of NATO’s only years later, E-3A personnel and communities. Our contribution was has also been a priority. We multinational operational flying aircraft conducted surveillance 262.4 million euro within a 200- have significantly decreased air unit, which remains a rarity operations during Operation kilometre radius. The Component’s movements at Geilenkirchen by 539 among military units worldwide. Crescent Guard, initiated by a request overall impact throughout Europe from the previous year. Of this total, The programme for this weekend from Turkey for NATO assistance due and North America was 417.8 million approximately 351 less takeoffs features entertainment, static display to the threat posed by the Iraqi War. euro. The 2006 figures revealed an and landings over the Netherlands aircraft representing 17 different increase of 17.5 million euro and 20.7 occurred. nations, cuisine from our 15 member We have also supported security million euro respectively from 2005. nations, classic cars, fireworks and efforts for many selected major The Component’s proud past is full the silver jubilee-painted AWACS events including the 2004 Summer The 3,150 plus military, civilian of many international milestones, aircraft. Olympic Games in Greece, the and contract members serving at the but we will continue to fly for peace, 2005 G8 Economic Summit in the installation generated a total annual freedom, democracy, and the hope Over the past 25 years, the United Kingdom, the 2006 World payroll of 140,653,107 euro, which for a better tomorrow for all. Component has made a significant Cup football competition in our is up 5 million euro from 2005. impact in promoting peace, stability, host nation and the 2007 European To improve base facilities and to and global security. In the late Defense Ministerial meeting. In support the people working in them, eighties and early nineties, our 2005, our Trainer Cargo Aircraft the Component invested a total of Brigadier General Stephen D. Schmidt 2 NATO Skywatch 16/17 June 2007 Welcome to the Wings The NATO E-3A Component consists of five main functional areas: the Base Support Wing, Information Technology Wing, Logistics Wing, Operations Wing and Training Wing. There are also seven Headquarters divisions, which report to, and provide support to, the Component commander, which alternates between a German and U.S. Air Force Brigadier General. Over 3,100 multinational military and civilian members serve in the Component. This figure also includes military and civilian personnel employed in support functions including base civil engineering, national support units and morale and welfare activities. advising the Component Commander on budgets The Plans and Programmes Division admini- for current and future years and compiling the sters a wide range of projects. During crisis situations, Component’s annual Economic Impact Study. it is responsible to the Component Commander Headquarters Divisions The Component Standardisation and for the management of the battle staff. The office Evaluation Division assesses all aircrew positions also performs site surveys before operations and The E-3A Component Headquarters Divisions to ensure that the organisation is operating at its exercises. In addition, it is involved in aircraft primarily support the E-3A Component best effectiveness. This office also reviews aircrew modernization including NATO Mid-Term. Commander (CGC), but also provide assistance documents and manuals annually for relevance. The Public Information Office is the vital to the wing commanders and their units. The The Legal Advisor’s Office provides advice connection between the NATO E-3A Component Headquarters Divisions represent those functional to the E-3A Component Commander on all legal and the neighboring communities. The PIO areas, which report directly to the Commander matters including those of the Host Nation of publishes the NATO Skywatch, and conducts tours and to the Deputy Commander (CGD)/Chief of Germany, as well as those Host Nations where the for various military and civilian organizations. Staff. The Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff is a Components had forward operating bases and a In addition, PIO coordinates with regional, Dutch position commanded by a Royal Netherlands forward operating location (Greece, Italy, Turkey and international media to publicize/promote Air Force colonel, who also serves as the Senior and Norway). Component programmes and personnel. National Representative for the Netherlands at the The Personnel Division serves as the link The Safety Division ensures Component. The following divisions comprise the between member nations and the Component safe flight and ground operations through E-3A Component Headquarters: regarding the overall international management multiple safety programmes and is also of authorised military and civilian personnel at the concerned with environmental protection Budget and Finance Division conducts the Geilenkirchen air base, the forward operating bases at the Component. entire Component’s financial activities including and forward operating location. was essential to the Alliance. After the Cold war ended, the OW continued to make history with their participation in the Yugoslavia crisis. As the new century began, NATO AWACS was there again for Operation Eagle Assist following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on 11 September 2001. The OW has also performed critical surveillance and control functions for numerous high-visibility events including the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, the 2006 World Cup and countless NATO Summits and visits from world leaders. By the beginning of 2007, NATO AWACS had flown nearly 300,000 hours, a testament to the success of the Component during the first 25 years. The OW will undoubtedly continue to carry NATO’s torch in the future. Quaerimus! Vigilance! Operations Wing Coniuncti in Opere! E-3A flight and mission crew BQT, Staff Aircrew Training, Upgrade Training and Instructor Training. The Operations Wing (OW) is responsible The Simulator Operations Division for the Component’s flying mission. The OW Training Wing maintains, operates and schedules the