Press Release (2002)038 14 March 2002

NATO Secretary General to visit NATO AWACS Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, on Monday, 18 March 2002 The Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, will travel to the Geilenkirchen AWACS Air Base in Germany on Monday, 18 March 2002. He will welcome crews returning on a regular rotation from Operation Eagle Assist in the United States where they have been patrolling US skies in NATO AWACS. He will also address former participants in Operation Eagle Assist and meet Major General Winterberger, Component Commander of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force and Major General Dora, the Force Commander. The Secretary General will also inspect the capabilities of the NATO AWACS. MEDIA ADVISORY Programme of the visit 09:30 Arrival of the NATO Secretary General after inspection of AWACS capabilities; followed by arrival of crews returning from Operation Eagle Assist - photo opportunity 09:45 Meet and greet with returning crews and family members - photo opportunity 10:10 Remarks to the troops - photo opportunity 10:30 Meeting with the press Journalists wishing to cover the visit will be allowed into NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen only if accredited in advance. Coverage will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The programme of the visit is subject to change. For further information, please contact the NATO Press and Media Service at Tel: +32 (0)2 707 5041, Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57 or Public Information Office - Geilenkirchen Air Base at Tel: +49 (0) 2451 63 24 83.

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