Oct 8 2024

Command Handed Over at Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem

UEDEM, Germany - The command responsibility of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Uedem in Germany, passed from the Belgian Air Force to the German Air Force. In a short ceremony the Deputy Commander of Allied Air Command – Royal Air Force Air Marshal Johnny Stringer – received the unit flag from outgoing Commander – Belgian Air Force Major General Harold ‘Harry’ Van Pee – and handed it over to the incoming Commander – German Air Force Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta.

Expertise and commitment to collaborate as a team that shares a common purpose in protecting the security and integrity of European Air Space. Together, we will ensure that our collective Defence remains strong

Air Marshal Stringer reminded all those present that “Allied Air Forces are the tip of NATO’s deterrent spear, but that tip is only as good and as sharp as the quality of those forces, and the quality too of the Command and Control which is so essential to Air Power’s effective employment.”

In this light, Air Marshal Stringer lauded Major General Van Pee’s “vision, commitment, energy, pragmatism and unswerving focus on the operational task” before wishing him the very best for his next adventure. Welcoming Lieutenant General Poschwatta, Air Marshal Stringer added “our very best wishes for your tour as Commander of this vital unit”.

The Deputy Commander of Allied Air Command – Royal Air Force Air Marshal Johnny Stringer – received the unit flag from outgoing Commander – Belgian Air Force Major General Harold ‘Harry’ Van Pee – and handed it over to the incoming Commander – German Air Force Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta. Photo courtesy by Bundeswehr

The command responsibility of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Uedem in Germany, passed from the Belgian Air Force to the German Air Force.Photo courtesy by Bundeswehr

Referring to his successor: “Thorsten, you can trust the men and women of CAOC Uedem, and I know that they will continue to support the CAOC Mission and their new Commander. You will need them, because there is a lot of change coming to CAOC Uedem and I wish you all the best”

Lieutenant General Poschwatta noted the “great pride and humility” he felt to have assumed Command of CAOC Uedem, extending his sincere gratitude to Major General Van Pee for “his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment” during “one of the most challenging periods in recent history.” He outlined his full commitment to the CAOC’s mission and called on the “expertise, commitment and teamwork” of the CAOC’s personnel – combined with the support of our NATO, Host Nation and wider partners – to collaborate as a “team that shares a common purpose in protecting the security and integrity of European Air Space. Together, we will ensure that our collective Defence remains strong”

The CAOC Uedem, located in the northwest of Germany, is responsible for all Air Policing matters in NATO Airspace in Northern Europe above the Alps – safeguarding the skies over 17 different countries. This includes control of NATO's Baltic Air Policing operation, where contributing nations take turns in providing Quick Reaction Alert forces for the three Baltic NATO members Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. It also includes NATO's periodic Air Policing and Surveillance mission to Iceland. Both these missions send a strong message of NATO commitment, cohesion and solidarity. NATO’s CAOC in the south is located at Torrejon, Spain, and has identical missions and tasks inside its area of responsibility. Both CAOCs contribute specialist personnel to enable the formation of a Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) – for example at AIRCOM, Ramstein – to plan, direct, task and co-ordinate Air operations of allocated NATO forces as and when required.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office coordinated with CAOC UEDEM