RAMSTEIN, Germany – On April 2 and 3, 2025, Senior Leadership from Allied and Partner air forces convened to discuss capability development, during the first iteration of the NATO Air Chiefs’ Symposium (NACS) in 2025.
General James Hecker, Commander Allied Air Command, hosted senior representatives from 28 Allied Nations and 5 Partner Nations at NATO’s Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany.
NACS is a great opportunity to strengthen relationships and improve communications amongst each other
The focus topic for NACS 25-1 was the exchanges on Air and Space Power, with the overarching theme of the symposium being capability development through exercise, experimentation, and operational deployment.
“NACS is a great opportunity to strengthen relationships and improve communications amongst each other,” said General Hecker. NACS 25-1 will be the last symposium General Hecker will host during his tenue, and he thanked all the Allied Air Chiefs for their continued commitment and cooperation.
Senior representatives from 28 Allied Nations and 5 Partner Nations convened at NATO's Allied Air Command in Ramstein, Germany, to discuss capability development, Ramstein. Photo by Allied Air Command
The NATO Air Chiefs’ Symposium is hosted semi-annually, NACS 25-1 focused on capability development through exercise, experimentation, and operational deployment. Photo by Allied Air Command
Following on from previous NACS topics of NATO Air Command and Control (C2), evolution and implementation, the senior representative discussed matters relating to NATO’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE), Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) and capability development.
The Keynote speaker Vice Admiral Jeff Hughes, Deputy Chief of Staff, Allied Command Transformation, held a speech with the theme of capability development. Focusing on having the right capabilities, right Solutions and timely delivery.
The NACs is hosted semi-annual by AIRCOM as a vehicle to exchange views and experience in the Joint and Air domain. It also provides an opportunity to compare and discuss cooperation, coordination and development of NATO Air and Space Power.