AWACS support in Portugal and Spain

NATO Airborne Early Warning Aircraft (AWACS) will provide support for two major public events: the Royal Wedding in Spain and the Euro 2004 Portuguese Championship.

The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General James Jones, announced the decision on 13 May. On the request of the Spanish government, AWACS surveillance will be provided, 21-22 May, for Crown Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz's wedding ceremony in Madrid. Similarly, the Portuguese government requested assistance for the European football championship to be hosted this summer in cities across the country.

NATO has committed itself to surveillance operations for public events on previous occasions. It has, for instance, provided assistance for a meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, June 2002, for an EU Summit meeting in Greece, June 2003, for the Barcelona Forum Opening Ceremony early May 2004 and will be assisting Greece during the Olympic Games this summer.