LIELVARDE, Latvia - The DARS*, NATO’s deployable air surveillance and control capability, is established at Lielvarde Air Force Base, Latvia, after moving personnel and materiel into the country by road and air transport over 2,500 kilometres and setting up the exercise facilities.

The deployment and build-up were the first two parts of exercise RAMSTEIN DUST II-17 that staff successfully completed. The exercise allows the DARS to train its unique operational capability to deliver effective aircraft control and air surveillance in Latvia.

"We have had fruitful discussions with Host Nation leadership," said German Air Force Colonel Klaus Nolte, the DARS Director. "Now we are very optimistic to have everything ready and operational before controlling live operations here. We look forward to cooperating and integrating within the Baltic air defence system and strengthening Allied Air Command's ability to deliver tactical air surveillance and control in the joint environment together with our Baltic counterparts," the Colonel added.

After routine system tests, the DACCC"s tactical air surveillance and control element will be able to begin participating in live operations in the Baltic region wherever and whenever needed.

This is the second time that a Ramstein Dust exercise takes place in Lielvarde; back in November 2015 the same type of exercise was conducted here to test deployment routines and drills.

 

* Deployable Air Control Centre, Recognised Air Picture Production Centre, Sensor Fusion Post