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UEDEM, Germany - On December 8, 2020, the Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stewart Peach, visited the Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany, for an update on the centre’s work safeguarding NATO’s airspace north of the Alps.  

"The team here at Uedem provide a vital function in keeping Allied airspace safe. I would like to thank General Habersetzer and all NATO personnel for your continued commitment to the Command and Control of NATO Air Power. It is through their hard work that the Combined Air Operations Centre is able to deliver the important Baltic Air policing mission and provide security in  the skies for all Allies," said Air Chief Marshal Sir Stewart Peach, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee.

German Lieutenant General Klaus Habersetzer, Commander of NATO's Northern Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, discussing command and control matters for enduring Alliance missions and operations  with UK Air Chief Marshal +Sir Stewart Peech, Chairman of NATO's Military Committee. Photo by Bundeswehr / Sven Dube

The Commander of the CAOC, German Lieutenant General Klaus Habersetzer, welcomed the Air Chief Marshal saying: “I personally wish to thank Air Chief Marshal Peach for the enormous commitment and enduring support he has afforded – in his capacity as the Military Committee Chairman – to CAOC Uedem and to the projects we need at our level to take NATO Air Policing into a reliable and robust future together with all Allies.”

During the visit, both Generals were joined by Allied Air Command’s Deputy Commander, French Lieutenant General Pascal Delerce and the CAOC’s Deputy Commander, Polish Brigadier General Slawomir Zakowski.

On his tour of the CAOC’s static air defence centre, Air Chief Marshal Peach saw a demonstration of how the staff provides control to Allied air forces conducting the enduring 24/7 mission of NATO Air Policing. 

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stewart Peech, Chairman of NATO's Military Committee (third from left) joined by the CAOC Commander Lieutenant General Klaus Habersetzer (left) and Allied Air Command Deputy Commander,Lieutenant General Pascal Delerce (fourth from left) at the heart of the CAOC Specialist staff at the Static Air Defence Centre monitor and control NATO's enduring Air Policng mission north of the Alps.  Photo by Bundeswehr / Sven Dube.

CAOC Uedem and its sister CAOC at Torrejón, Spain, are responsible to plan, direct, task, coordinate, supervise and support air operations of allocated assets in peace, crisis and conflict. Routinely they are tasked to execute NATO’s Air Policing mission closely cooperating with Control and Reporting Centres, National Air Policing Centres and dedicated Quick Reaction Alert air bases across their respective area of regional responsibility. Overseen by Allied Air Command at Ramstein, Germany, they are key to visible deterrence and defence in the Euro-Atlantic area.