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AWACS: NATO's eyes in the sky 4. AWACS Operations Contents   1. Introduction   2. The problem defined  3. Programme overview  4. AWACS Operations  5. Inside an AWACS aircraft  6. Working together for results  7. Modernisation Programme  8. One Minute interview Editorial Note   Important publisher and editorial information about this document Other Formats English PDF (~524Kb) Printable version with colour illustrations Order a hardcopy version using the online order form. Reinforcing NATO: Operation Anchor Guard Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, aircraft from NATO’s E-3A component deployed to eastern Turkey in order to help reinforce NATO’s southern flank during the war. Their specific mission included monitoring air and sea traffic in the eastern Mediterranean and providing airborne surveillance along the Iraqi-Turkish border. This deployment lasted from August 1990 to March 1991. Guarding America: Operation Eagle Assist Seven NATO AWACS aircraft were deployed to the United States following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks to help defend North America against further attacks. Operation Eagle Assist, which was launched on 9 October 2001 and concluded on 16 May 2002, represented the first time in Alliance history that NATO assets were deployed in support of the defence of one of its member countries. The speed and success with which this mission was carried out demonstrate that NATO remains an effective military organisation and the transatlantic link remains strong and solid. Defending Turkey: Operation Display Deterrence NATO’s defensive deployment to Southeast Turkey – Operation Display Deterrence – was launched in response to the threat posed by the conflict in Iraq. It consisted of theatre missile defences, chemical and biological defence equipment and AWACS surveillance aircraft. Between February and May 2003, AWACS crews flew over 100 missions and more than 950 flying hours to protect Turkish forces and citizens. Did you know? Since July 1992, aircraft from both the NATO E-3A fleet and the UK E-3D fleet have operated extensively in the Balkans, supporting United Nations resolutions in the former Yugoslavia and Alliance missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Aircraft from the French E-3F force and the U.S. Air Force have also helped achieve the objectives of these missions. Did you know? An E-3A can detect low flying targets within 400 kilometres or 215 nautical miles. At medium altitude, it can detect targets within 520 kilometres or 280 nautical miles.

© NATO - OTAN 2004 -	NATO Public Diplomacy Division, 1110 Brussels, Belgium, web site: www.nato.int e-mail: natodoc@hq.nato.int