Established in 2013, following NATO’s 2010 Strategic Concept and the relocation of the Combined Air Operations Centre to Torrejon (Spain), the role of the DACCC has developed over the past decade to remain relevant in the new geo-political landscape and shifting dynamics of the international order. More recently, the DACCC’s ability to deploy to the Eastern flank of Europe has become increasingly crucial to support the projection of Air Power and provision of vital command and control capabilities

I strongly believe we have to work hard in realizing true Multi Domain Operations. To a lesser extent to same applies to fully exploiting the capabilities of fifth generation weapon-systems and modern technology

The ceremony started with a speech of the first Commander of DACCC, General (retired) Mirco Zuliani; he said: “my task along with the staff at that time was to start shaping this new entity, trying to give content that could be useful to the alliance in the years to follow”.

Sponsored and supported by 16 member-states, over the past year alone the DACCC has delivered and taken part in multiple exercises, trained a large number of staff from across the NATO force structure in numerous courses, deployed with our Deployable Air Defense Radar and supported NATO through activation of individuals to support Joint Force Command in Naples. The heightened importance of NATO’s operational tempo is clear, but the DACCC’s role in training has also increased and the DACCC has become Allied Air Command’s premiere training and educational facility. Over the past decade, the DACCC has organized more than 100 courses and trained around 3000 operators who have then worked in various operational levels across the Alliance.

The anniversary has been a chance to pause and recognize the DACCC’s wide-ranging achievements over the last 10 years and to thank those Commander’s past and present who have lead the DACCC to where it is now. It is also a chance to recognize the busy year ahead as DACCC continues to evolve and work to enhance its reputation as a center of excellence at the heart of NATO’s Air command and control (AirC2).

The DACCC now thrives as four main pillars with Commander’s vision of being “operationally effective, agile and relevant; to be at the forefront of delivering exceptional Air Command and Control , fit for today and always looking to the future”. In addition to the standard business, the Deployable Air Operations Centre, the Training and Exercise team and the Combat Service Support Division are already working hard to deliver Ramstein Ambition 23 which is being held at Poggio Renatico in April. Furthermore, the Deployable Air Control Centre, Recognized Air Production Centre and Sensor Fusion Post team are readying for a major deployment in July where they will yet again prove their impressive capabilities and operational effectiveness. 

Looking to the future, subject matter experts (SME) from across the DACCC have been tasked to establish the first NATO Air Support Operations Centre (ASOC). The ASOC will provide AirC2 SME support to the NATO warfighting corps and will further enhance NATO’s tactical air-land integration capabilities.

The ceremony ended with a final speech addressed by Major General Denny Traas, Commander of DACCC, who said: “Improvements in achieving integration are needed, in many ways. Accelerating Integration is therefore one of COM AIRCOM, Gen Hecker’s main priorities. In line with that, I strongly believe we have to work hard in realizing true Multi Domain Operations. To a lesser extent to same applies to fully exploiting the capabilities of fifth generation weapon-systems and modern technology”.