POGGIO RENATICO, Italy – The NATO Deployable Command and Control Centre (DACCC) dispatched a convoy of vehicles to travel to Andravida, Greece, to set up and operate a mobile surveillance and control unit in support of Allied Air Command’s major live-fly exercise Ramstein Flag 2024.
The DACCC deployment began on September 3 2024, when a convoy made up of around 30 vehicles departed Poggio Renatico base. Within the framework of the deployment exercise Ramstein Dust 2024 (RADU24), the 2500 km deployment move went to the port of Trieste and from there by ferry to Greece.
NATO forces must be ready to go wherever, whenever, on very short notice
This movement marked the initial phase of the deployment of DACCC personnel and material in support of one NATO’s major exercises in 2024 – Ramstein Flag (RAFL24) organized by the Allied Air Command at Andravida Air Base, Greece, in collaboration with the Hellenic Air Force.
“NATO forces must be ready to go wherever, whenever, on very short notice,” said Brigadier General David Morpurgo, DACCC Deputy Commander, as he bid farewell to the DACCC personnel departing for Greece. “It is key for Alliance that mission-essential command and control systems are quickly deployable,” he added. Photo courtesy DACCC.
The DACCC deployment began on September 3 2024, when a convoy made up of around 30 vehicles departed Poggio Renatico base. Within the framework of the deployment exercise Ramstein Dust 2024 (RADU24), the 2500 km deployment move went to the port of Trieste and from there by ferry to Greece. Photo courtesy DACCC.
The DACCC will participate with the deployment of approximately 115 women and men from Poggio Renatico base, of its Deployable Air Control Centre, Recognized Air Picture Production Centre/Sensor Fusion Post (DARS) with advanced Command and Control, airspace management and surveillance capabilities and two “Ground-Air-Ground” radio modules.
“NATO forces must be ready to go wherever, whenever, on very short notice,” said Brigadier General David Morpurgo, DACCC Deputy Commander, as he bid farewell to the DACCC personnel departing for Greece. “It is key for Alliance that command and control systems which enable air assets to plan, undertake and complete their mission, are quickly deployable,” he added.
After the "build up" phase, DARS will begin to operate fully connected to the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System within the area of responsibility of NATO’s Southern Combine d Air Operations Centre at Torrejón, Spain. This integration offers several advantages, including better detection and tracking capability, greater air situation awareness and faster response times.
During RAFL24, the integration of DARS will have a significant impact on surveillance and control of exercise air assets, improving the system's ability to detect and track threats and providing a more complete air picture.
The DACCC is the only NATO Command capable of carrying out aerial planning, tactical command and control, airspace management and surveillance actions from the permanent site of Poggio Renatico or as a deployed unit. Its ability to deploy active and passive sensors makes it a unique asset in the Alliance inventory.