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 SHAPE
News Release
Public Information Office
B-7010 SHAPE, Belgium
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Tel:
(065)44.4159
Fax: (065)44.3544
SHAPE: 01-10-01
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NATO
Airborne Early Warning Aircraft Begin Deploying To The
United States
SHAPE
HEADQUARTERS, Casteau, Belgium - The first
of five NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft
(AWACS) began deploying today to the United States, freeing
up planes there to support operations against terrorism.
The deployment, expected to be complete within days, comes
on the heels of a North Atlantic Council decision on October
4 to take measures to operationalize Article 5 of the
Washington Treaty.
"The actions now underway give substance to NATO's
declaration of Alliance resolve," said Gen. Joseph
Ralston, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. "This
is a historic decision in that it is the first time NATO
assets will have been used in direct support of the continental
United States. Of course, we continue to stand ready to
provide any additional support requested by the United
States, on order of the North Atlantic Council."
The AWACS provides an air surveillance and early warning
capability which greatly enhances effective command and
control of NATO forces by enabling data to be transmitted
directly from the aircraft to command and control centres
on the ground, sea or in the air. There are 24 AWACS in
the NATO fleet, based at Geilenkirchen, Germany, and RAF
Waddington in the United Kingdom.
Note to Editors:
A media opportunity is scheduled for Wednesday, October
10, at 9 a.m., in Geilenkirchen, GE. A spokesperson will
be available to provide a general overview of the current
operations, the aircraft and its capabilities. In addition,
media will be able to film a pre-flight inspection, speak
with crew that will deploy to the U.S., and walk through
the aircraft. Space is limited to SO people. For security
reasons, you will need to provide your names and identification
number (a press pass) to the office in Germany (fax 49-2451-7936
or phone 49-2451-63-2480) by 8:30 a.m. on October 10.
No vehicles are allowed on base; at the entrance you will
be required to carry your equipment to the briefing facility,
which is a short distance.
Additional
information:
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