NATO begins patrolling skies over Olympic Games
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With NATO’s AWACS radar aircraft starting patrols of Greek airspace on 10 August, all of the Alliance’s security assistance measures for the Olympic and Paralympic Games are now in place.
With the beginning of operational flights by AWACS aircraft, NATO completed today the preparations for the assistance to security during the Olympics and Paralympics games. The components of the requested support are already operational and ready to assist, upon the Hellenic authorities request in ensuring the safe conduct of the 2004 Olympic and Paralympics Games.
The AWACS are special aircraft, equipped with radar capable of detecting air traffic over long distances and at low levels. Their mission is to provide surveillance and early warning for defensive purposes. The AWACS are provided by the E3A Component at Geilenkirchen, Germany, the Airborne Early Warning Squadron of the British Royal Air Force and the French E3F stationed at Istres, France. An AWACS provides a wide range of coverage of over 310,000 square km.
At Greece’s request, NATO has launched operational activities entitled “Distinguished Games” to assist the Hellenic Government -- which has full responsibility for the overall Olympic security operation.