7 July 2017 NATO Skywatch 1 Volume 33, No. 6 • 7 July 2017 NATO E-3A Component celebrates 35 years Story by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. a unique opportunity for the public to The Zapfenstreich is performed only location. More than 5,000 people Longfellow have an idea of what goes on behind during national celebrations to honor who were interested in dance and Photos by André Joosten the gates and provided some insight distinguished persons present at such celebration could experience a very into the E-3A Component’s history, special events. special flair. Over 150 individually It’s been 35 years since the aircraft and daily operations. controlled and color-changeable NATO AWACS first landed at Members of the public were also headlights created an impressive Geilenkirchen Air Base in The 35th Anniversary aircraft was of invited to a Fliegerparty on July 1. atmosphere, in which the musicians Germany, marking the start of a course in the spotlight during the For this purpose, the Hangar 2, in and audiences alike put into the new era in airspace surveillance. celebrations with long lines of eager which an AWACS is normally serviced, scenes. people waiting to see what is inside has been converted into a party and why the AWACS is so special to NATO. Each NATO nation that is represented at Geilenkirchen also provided food, drinks and even music as their speciality of their nation. More than 60 aircraft were on display for guests to walk through, sit in and talk to the aircrew of those aircraft. Guests of the airbase also enjoyed a varied entertainment program. On the evening of June 29, guests were able to witness the Großer One July 1 and 2, the gates Zapfenstreich (Grand Tattoo). This is of the airbase were opened to performed by pipes and drums and a approximately 37,000 guests to military band, accompanied by two mark this special occasion. This was platoons under arms and torchbearers. 7 July 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. NAEW&C United – A team of Champions Shortly after my arrival at Everywhere you looked you could great importance has certainly been Geilenkirchen, after 18 months at see increased evidence of teamwork one of the highlights. Mons, I was interviewed by Staff Sgt between the Headquarters, the Longfellow for an article for Skywatch Component and MSEC – everyone was When I joined the Force in 2014 (26 Feb 2017). The title of that article pulling in the same direction and the we were conducting Operation was “NAEW&C United” and I make results started coming. By Christmas Afghan Assist and Immediate no apologies for reprising it here. In we were a top 3 side and looking Assurance Measures following the a high benchmark for European Air that article I extolled the virtues of a pretty strong. Russian annexation of Crimea and Forces to follow – we have broken strong organisational identity and the other events in Eastern Ukraine. As a paradigm which had stifled our importance of teamwork. Now as the season reaches its climax I leave, we are well into our fourth capacity to develop and grow. We have once again, we sit at the top of the year of Assurance Measures, our seen similar progress in the area of The NAEW&C Force Review had league as champions. Our success has second year of Tailored Assurance interoperability with other airborne brought the Headquarters, the not been built on the performance of Measures for Turkey and almost three assets and Command and Control Component and MSEC altogether for a few individuals – though there are a quarters of the way through our first nodes – this is pivotal work to ensure the first time here at Geilenkirchen. great many stars amongst us – but on year supporting the Counter ISIL that we can meet the challenges of The first few months were a learning teamwork. Coalition. The operational tempo the future operating environment. experience for us all as we got to has been relentless, but NATO AWACS Finally our keen focus on process know each other in much the same It is important to reflect on our has proven to be more than up to improvement has delivered impressive way as the new summer signings at a successes but now is not the time the task. As NATO transitions from results across the board. football club take some time to find to bask in the glory of having come Assurance to Deterrence there is their feet. But this was not just a case so far in such a short space of time. absolutely no doubt in my mind that The above list is far from exhaustive of allowing everyone to settle into No, now is the time to seize the NATO AWACs will be in the vanguard but it shows exactly what can be the old routine, no, this was the case momentum we have built and push of that evolution. done when we work as a team – I will of everyone having to adapt to a new forward with even greater energy and miss being part of it. I want to thank style of play. Such things take time to purpose. It is certainly an exciting time to be you all for your commitment, your bed-in and by the end of the season part of this great Force. Our current dedication and your friendship. This is (mid-summer) we were languishing As most of you will know, I will modernisation programmes will a very special and unique organisation somewhere around the middle of the leave Geilenkirchen and the Force deliver leading edge technologies and I feel immensely proud to have league – a steady if unspectacular this summer and later this year I and the Final Lifetime Extension been a part of it. I wish you all every start, with the promise of greater will retire from active service with Programme will in many ways possible success for the future and things to come. the Royal Air Force after 39 years revolutionise how we deliver who knows, maybe our paths will in uniform. Every career has its Airborne Battle Management and cross again – I sincerely hope so. By the time the new season came highlights and to end mine working Command and Control. Our radical around in the fall, things had with such a talented group of people new approach to training, which Air Commodore definitely taken a turn for the better. and conducting a mission of such harnesses new technology, is setting Paddy Teakle 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. 6 7 July 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.awacs.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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