Volume 23, No. 3 NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen 9 February 2007 First Deployment to Kecskemét, Hungary By Capt Phyllis Kent Imre Szekeres, Hungarian Minister of Defence (MoD), In 2006, Hungary joined the welcomes Colonel Jelle Zijlstra and the crew members in Kecskemet, HU. Photo by Maj Greg Carter NATO E-3A Component as its 14th participating nation. Currently, there are four Hungarian members assigned to the E-3A Component. The week of 19-26 January 2007 marked a memorable time for the Component and the Hungarian Air Force. Squadron Two led the first deployment to the 59th Szentygörgyi Dezsõ Air Base in Kecskemét, Hungary, approximately 86 kilometres southeast of Budapest. The week provided many firsts for the squadron as well as the Component. Squadron Two crew flew five mission sorties. After arriving in Hungary, they were given a tour of the Control and Reporting Center (CRC), Silverhshark in Veszprém. Selected media personnel were able to fly on board the E-3A on the Wednesday, 24 January, flight. During this flight, the crew answered questions about NATO and their jobs on the aircraft. There were two separate media teams-one from the military media press, the other from the national briefing to more than 35 media outlets acting Chief of Staff of the Air Base and provided the crew with a tour of their Hungarian television station, MTV1. at the 59th Szentygörgyi Dezsõ Air Base Hungarian translator for the event, Peto Gripen and Mig-29 hangar, making their The report aired the same night in in Kecskemét. Zijlstra briefed the history emphasized the Hungarian economic staff available for questions and photo Hungary. and organization of the Component benefits of joining NATO, explaining opportunities. The base currently has and spoke about the importance of that it creates future opportunities for 14 operational MiG-29s, nine JAS-39 On Thursday, 25 January, Brig. Gen. the current deployment and the role personnel and for Hungarian companies Gripen’s, seven L-39 Albatros and five István Peto, the base commander, of Hungary as the 25th Anniversary of to get involved in this successful An-26 transport aircraft. introduced, Col. Jelle Zijlstra, the E-3A the Component approaches. organization. He recognized that NATO Component’s Deputy Commander and is a rewarding organization and shared Hungary has been a member of the Chief of Staff, at a press conference After the briefing, Imre Szekeres, the his enthusiasm and complete support. European Union since 1 May 2004 and is hosted by Hungary. Zijlstra gave a Hungarian Minister of Defense, thanked After Peto’s closing remarks, Zijlstra the newest NATO member to contribute Zijlstra. According to Lt. Col. Berec, presented him with a personalized personnel to the NATO E-3A Component. NATO E-3A Component plaque. It was Both the Component and Hungary look offered in thanks for providing the forward to many future deployments impressive opportunity to further the and the inclusion of additional relationship between NATO and Hungarian service members to NATO Hungary and to commemorate the AWACS to contribute to the continued Component’s first visit to Hungary. success of the NATO E-3A Component. Following the press conference, Lt. Gen. László Tombol, Commander of the Hungarian Joint Command, met with Zijlstra to discuss Hungary’s current armed forces status and organization. Later the same afternoon, several members of the Hungarian senior leadership were given an E-3A familiarization flight. The personnel at the 59th Szentygörgyi Dezsõ Air Base were extremely hospitable and HU MoD speaks to the Hungarian local media on 25 January 2007. welcomed the visiting Component Capt G. Soos, Hungarian WC assigned Photo by Capt Phyllis Kent members with a warm reception. They to E-3A Component answers questions. Photo by Capt Phyllis Kent Next NATO Skywatch: Complexity or Simplicity? Carnival information 23 February Submissions due by: Also in this issue: An article by Col Angel Burgos. See page 8. 15 February See page 3. 2 NATO Skywatch 9 February 2007 9 February 2007 NATO Skywatch 3 COMPLEXITY OR SIMPLICITY? A new year is here and with it, By Col Angel Burgos, SPAF, IWC comes down to is: when “simplicity” new gadgets stuffed with even is the goal, “complexity” is the more features which continues to floating point calculations per (Graphics User Interface) instead unavoidable product. And if you make me wonder if we are moving second)? of Command Line Prompts or cannot stamp out “complexity” towards more “complexity or speed dialing instead of rotary dial what can you do? The answer simplicity?” I am never fully sure, Of course, driving the “complexity” phones, etc. Nevertheless, there are is simple; you must manage but nevertheless, there’s one thing are the consumers, who usually other reasons to go for “simplicity” “complexity” instead of letting I am sure about: technology and expect and demand more features other than “ease of use”; reasons it manage you. computers are becoming more and eventually engineers who which manufacturers certainly and more complex. revel in figuring out how to do understand. “Simplicity” means How can you do that? Well, one “just that”, the result being, you fewer features and fewer features key to managing “complexity” is to For instance, look at the evolution guessed it, greater “complexity” imply fewer components. But make a bottom-up analysis, with of the telephone: telephony in both hardware and software, fewer components means faster modularity in mind. Breaking down started with just one person at although the “90/10 rule” applies manufacturing process, more big problems into little ones makes each end of the line, simply lifting here. The 90/10 rule being that reliability, compact design, and... it possible for you to do things in the receiver. No phone numbers 90 percent of the users use less cost, and less cost means higher an efficient manner. Another key involved, no voice activation, no 10 percent of the features, or, profits. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? is collaboration, so, do not be recording machines, etc. Was conversely, 10 percent of the users afraid to talk to your peers and there anything simpler than that? use 90 percent of the features. Although users and manufacturers collaborators about the problems And regarding computers, what might see “simplicity” and “ease of you have encountered, whether or is simpler: the old Commodore But, in any event, “simplicity” and use” as desirable, there is a lot of not they are close to you or on the 64 (64kb), or the new IBM Blue- “user-friendliness” remain one of complex engineering involved in other side of the world, because Gene/L, able to perform more the users’ top priorities. After all, making devices “simple”, “small”, nowadays, this former “complexity” than 250 T-flops/s (trillions of is that not why we have GUIs and “inexpensive”. So, what this has changed to “simplicity.” throughout NATO’s areas of responsibility. General Ramms succeeds As one of two Joint Forces Commands under SHAPE command - this headquarters deters aggression, defends General Back at JFC Brunssum NATO territory and forces, safeguards to General Egon Ramms, German Army, and East of Afghanistan. I am very freedom of the seas, and preserves the on 26 January at the Headquarters proud of every one of you who has security of our member nations. The International Inn. Presiding over the helped NATO bring hope for a better men and women of this command ceremony was Supreme Allied future to the people of Afghanistan.” execute this mission every day, with Commander Europe, General John determination, skill and excellence.” Craddock, US Army. Gen. Ramms received his new command from Gen. Craddock. Before After a three notable years commanding his assignment to Brunssum he served JFC Brunssum, and more than 40 years for four years as Commander of the of service, Gen. Back announced his Multinational Corps Northeast in retirement from active duty. Szczecin, Poland. In his remarks he said, “I am grateful to be selected to “These last three years have command this organization. I expect truly been a remarkable time for this the next three years to be difficult but headquarters,” Gen. Back said in his also very satisfying and rewarding. farewell speech. “JFC Brunssum led the I will give my best effort to provide you General Craddock hands over the JFC way for NATO by undertaking the most with the leadership you deserve and Brunssum flag to General Ramms during challenging out of area mission in I expect each of you to provide me with the Change of Command Ceremony. NATO’s history, the ISAF mission. that same level of effort.” Photos Andreas Steindl This mission has been this head- quarters’ highest priority for my entire Gen. Craddock included in his speech By SMSgt. Johan Hijmenberg three years as Commander. Many of the importance of JFC Brunssum. you have worked countless hours and “I cannot stress enough how important General Gerhard W. Back, German deployed several times to allow NATO this command is to the Alliance. Air Force, handed over command of to expand the mission, first to the Brunssum is tasked with conducting General Back congratulates General Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum North and West and then to the South a full range of military operations Ramms on his new assignment. Afghanistan and transformation on Defence Ministers’ agenda The way ahead for NATO’s operation International Security Assistance Force Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, and decisions are taken; they are an in Afghanistan and the Alliance’s in Afghanistan. meet with their counterparts from the opportunity for ministers to discuss freely continuing military transformation seven countries participating in NATO’s key issues on the Alliance’s agenda.