How it's going ... a radar site in Iceland, the Static Air Defence Centre at Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem, Germany, and an Italian Air Force fifth generation fighter aircraft demonstrate how NATO continues to evolve its collective capabilities through innovation by using cutting-edge technology to ensure safe and secure skies for the Allies.
(Photos from left to right: courtesy Icelandic Coast Guard, by Sébastien Raffin, courtesy Italian Air Force)
General Harrigian's command at Ramstein, Germany, oversees an integrated system of systems involving air command and control centres, air surveillance stations and – most visible – fighter jets on constant standby across NATO's European territory ready to safeguard the Allies on behalf of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
"We have sustained and improved Air Policing for 60 years while welcoming many new members to NATO and committing ourselves to territorial integrity and the safety of our airspace and the cause of peace," said U.S. Air Force Major General Phillip Stewart, Deputy Chief of Staff Strategic Employment. "From all of us at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe we say thank you to all the men and women from across the Alliance for all they have done, and continue to do, to sustain peace," he concluded.
Moving forward, NATO will continue to evolve its collective capabilities through innovation by using cutting-edge technology further improving situational awareness, exercising multi-domain operations, and integrating fifth generation aircraft. "As an Airman, I am proud to stand alongside the men and women of all 30 Allied Nations who continue to contribute to the NATO Air Policing mission - thank you," said General Harrigian acknowledging the people who have been behind NATO's success story of collective defence for six decades.
Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office