RAMSTEIN, Germany – NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft controlled Swedish Air Force fighter jets in Swedish airspace demonstrating further integration with the youngest NATO Ally.
Sweden has now been a member of NATO for six months and is making great strides advancing integration in Alliance air force and command structures
Earlier this week, NATO AWACS set the stage for smooth interoperability with the Swedish Air Force by working towards normalizing diplomatic clearance procedures required to operate in Swedish airspace. During flying events on September 1 and 2, Swedish JAS-39 Gripen from the Blekinge and Skaraborg air flotillas flew missions under AWACS control. This is a major step towards routine training and tactical cooperation with Sweden.
“Sweden has now been a member of NATO for six months and is making great strides advancing integration in Alliance air force and command structures,” said Colonel Dennis Hedström, Commander of the Swedish Air Staff. “By carrying out everyday operations and activities with common resources, we become stronger together and enhance our interoperability,” he concluded.
A NATO AWACS aircraft taxiing at Rygge Air Base, Norway, where it is temporarily stationed to fly training and real-world sorties in support NATO operations. Photo by Christine Midtby.
During flying events on September 1 and 2, Swedish JAS-39 Gripen from Blekinge and Skaraborg flew missions under AWACS control. Photo by Swedish Air Force.
Upon mission completion with the Swedish jets, the NATO AWACS aircraft landed at Rygge Air Base, Norway. Photo by Christine Midtby.
With the ASC 890, Sweden operates a similar aircraft which - like the bigger AWACS plane - provides a flying command and air surveillance capability for large areas. Archive photo courtesy Swedish Air Force.
The training activity has not been the first time NATO AWACS aircraft operate in Swedish airspace, as they are regularly providing airborne surveillance and control during Swedish major international exercises such as the Arctic Challenge Exercise. However, the goal is to normalize procedures for such manoeuvres which will help increase flexibility and capability in NATO’s air command and control system.
“What has been new is the fact NATO AWACS has been integrated into Swedish day-to-day operations,” Colonel Hedström continued to say. “This requires special coordination, not least because the missions were conducted in the same airspace as civilian passenger aircraft and because the flight paths were not pre-planned,” he added.
Two liaison officers from the Combat Command and Air Surveillance Battalion were flying on board the NATO AWACS to ensure proper coordination with Swedish authorities. The ability to integrate AWACS into daily operations is an important step in Swedish NATO integration and is further proof that the boundaries between national and international operations are blurring, said the Swedish operator who was on board the AWACS.
NATO owns and operates the fleet of E-3A AWACS aircraft and regularly employs them in the framework of early warning, command and control or airspace control both during real-world and training operation. While the AWACS fleet is home-based at Geilenkirchen in Germany, the one flying with the Swedish took off from a Forward Operating Base at Rygge, Norway, where they are temporarily deployed.
“With the ASC 890, Sweden operates a similar aircraft which - like the bigger E-3A - provides a flying command and air surveillance capability for large areas with its roof-mounted radar. Both types of aircraft complement fixed sensor and surveillance centres,” Colonel Hedström concluded.