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Ramstein, Germany - A multinational team of 65 women and men from the NATO E-3A based in Geilenkirchen, Germany deployed 2 NATO E-3A aircraft, November 10 to December 17 at the Components Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Konya, Turkey.

The NATO E-3A team supported various missions throughout the deployment including, primarily providing support to the Counter ISIL mission, supporting NATO Assurance Measure over the Alliance's eastern flank as well as taking part in exercise Nexus Ace.

Since October 2016 we flew more than 570 missions with over 4074 flying hours in support of Counter ISIL operations

"Since October 2016 we flew more than 570 missions with over 4074 flying hours in support of Counter ISIL operations," said Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Stefanizzi, Detachment Commander. "These enormous numbers would have not been achieved without the enormous effort the personnel of the FOB Konya put into it."

NATO E-3A AWACS returns to Konya providing NATO's contribution to counter ISIL missions . Photo courtesy of NATO AWACS Force.

In view of the threat posed by ISIL, NATO decided to enhance its contribution to the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL with the NATO E-3A AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) surveillance aircraft in 2016. NATO's advanced E-3A aircraft support the Coalition's overall air picture by providing surveillance and situational awareness, thereby making the skies safer.

Assurance Measure sorties have been flown since 2014 to conduct air surveillance, enhance NATO's situational awareness and to provide assurance to nations on NATO's Eastern Flank. Over time additional orbits in the Baltics and Turkey have been added to extend Allied coverage in these key areas.