NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen

Allgemeine Informationen

The E-3A Component is one of two operational elements of the NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force.

The Component consists of five main functional areas: the Operations Wing, Logistics Wing, Training Wing, Information Technology Wing and Headquarters as well as other normal staff functions. Each of these major units is commanded by a colonel from a variety of NATO nations. The position of the Component commander alternates between a German and American Brigadier General. Overall integrated manning of the Component consists of 2900 multinational military and civilian personnel. This figure includes military and civilian personnel in support functions, such as base civil engineering, national support units and morale and welfare activities.

Seventeen E-3A aircraft are assigned to the Component. Normally, only a number of the E-3As are at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen at any given time. The remainder deploys to the Component’s Forward Operating Bases in Aktion, Greece; Trapani, Italy; and Konya, Turkey and its Forward Operating Location at Ørland, Norway or other allied airfields. Each of the forward operating facilities is located on a national installation, although the Component has approximately 20 personnel at each site. They are NATO personnel assigned to the Component, but all are from the respective host nations.

Thirty multinational aircrews from 17 of NATO’s 28 nations are assigned to the Component’s three operational E-3A squadrons. The Training Wing has a flying squadron as well, the Aircrew Training Squadron.