Press Release (2002) 065 14 May 2002

NATO Secretary General visit to NATO AWACS Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany on Thursday, 16 May 2002 The Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, will visit the Geilenkirchen AWACS Air Base in Germany on Thursday, 16 May 2002 to mark the conclusion of Operation Eagle Assist. Since 9 October 2001, NATO AWACS have patrolled American skies helping to protect the United States from further terrorist attacks. The North Atlantic Council decided to conclude the mission following air defence upgrades in the United States and an assessment of US homeland security requirements. The Secretary General will join the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Joseph Ralston, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Guido Venturoni, and US Ambassador to NATO, Nicholas Burns, to participate in a ceremony welcoming the returning AWACS crews and support personnel and saluting them for their service. Remarks to the troops will be open to the media and followed by a joint press conference. Any press interested in covering this event should arrive at Geilenkirchen Air Base by 12:00. 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 Journalists wishing to cover the visit will be allowed into NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen only if accredited in advance at: Public Information Office - Geilenkirchen Air Base Tel: +49 (0) 2451 63 24 80. Coverage will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

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