RAMSTEIN, Germany – On June 28, 1974, NATO stood up its first Air headquarters at the U.S. Air Base to establish coordination, command and control of Allied air forces in the then Central Region during Cold War Times. The leadership and staff marked this anniversary, in a short ceremony held at Headquarters Allied Air Command 50 years later on June 28, 2024.
Over five decades, Air and Space Power has hugely contributed to ensuring peace and stability
Initially established with staff from Belgium, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, the mission of then Allied Air Forces Central Europe - in short AAFCE - was to provide central direction and control for the NATO forces in the European Central Region through the coordination of the headquarters of two Allied Tactical Air Forces.
“Today - 50 years later – not only has the number of nations represented at Allied Air Command expanded, but so too has our mission. In its modern form, AIRCOM is responsible for Command and Control, Integrated Air and Missile Defence, and Cyber and Space Operations, as well as the Deterrence and Defence of NATO Territory through the projection of Air Power,” said General James B. Hecker in his remarks.
Established with staff from six NATO Allies in 1974, the mission of Allied Air Forces Central Europe or AAFCE was to provide central direction and control for NATO forces in the European Central Region. Photo courtesy USAFE.
Since 2005, Allied Air Command has been delivering Air and Space Power to the Alliance from a state-of-the-art headquarters building on Ramstein Air Base. Photo by Arnaud Chamberlin.
In 1985, the F-16 Fighting Falcon in several Allied air forces. The agile fighter jet also arrived at Ramstein Air Base. Photo courtesy USAFE.
Allied Air Command is integrating new capabilites which Nations bring to Allied operations, e.g. 5th generation aircraft like the F-35 now in service with many air forces. Photo by Manfred Reudenbach.
As the Alliance has grown, so too has the area of responsibility of the Command, expanding from its roots in central Europe to encompass most of the European continent. Through several name changes and reorganizations, Allied Air Command has become NATO’s singular air headquarters at Ramstein delivering Air and Space Power to the Alliance – one key element of how NATO has provided collective security to its members.
For 50 years, our team has proven we are flexible and innovative, ready to defend the Alliance and to provide Air and Space Power more effectively and efficiently
“Over five decades, Air and Space Power has hugely contributed to ensuring peace and stability working hand in glove with the other services; throughout the Cold War, during several rounds of NATO enlargement, executing out-of-area operations in Libya or Afghanistan and most recently during the shift in the global security environment that Russia has caused, first by illegally annexing Crimea and then by brutally attacking Ukraine’s territory and citizens,” General Hecker went on to say. “NATO Air and Space Power has a lead role conducting NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities, countless multi-domain operations and flexible deterrence options,” he stated.
“For 50 years, the Allied Air Command team has proven we are flexible and innovative, ready to defend the Alliance and to provide Air and Space Power more effectively and efficiently. We adapted through modernization of fighter fleets from third, fourth and now fifth generation aircraft, readily integrating powerful new capabilities into our plans and concepts for Alliance defence,” General Hecker said.
He added that besides marking 50 year of NATO air at Ramstein Air Base, this year also marks 75 years of NATO as the most successful collective security Alliance in history. “From its founding 75 years ago, building bridges and working towards consensus in ensuring collective security in post-World War II times, NATO has had a historic record of success and relevance,” he explained. “Today, 75 years later, NATO is built on an enduring commitment to our shared values and our ability to adapt to emerging challenges. We celebrate our collective history of military preparations, innovations, and operations,” he added.
General Hecker concluded expressing his pride “to have the privilege to lead this fine team of awe-inspiring men and women representing NATO nations gathered at Allied Air Command and performing terrific work to provide NATO with cutting-edge Air and Space Power. You make huge contributions to keeping our skies safe, protecting our territory and people, deterring potential aggressors and - if necessary – defending every inch of NATO territory,” he concluded.