NATO Support for FIFA World Cup in Germany

Background Awacs- Eyes in the sky E3-A Awacs

MONS, Belgium.- At the request of German national authorities, aircraft from the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&C Force) will provide airspace surveillance support during the FIFA World Cup in Germany from 7 June to 9 July.

NATO has agreed to augment German air surveillance capability by providing additional low-level coverage and radio relay in order to contribute to security during the various ceremonies and football matches that will be held throughout the Championship.

Due to the long duration of the support, both NAEW&C Force Components, the E3-A and the E-3D, will carry out this mission from their main operating bases at Geilenkirchen (Germany) and Waddington (UK), respectively.

Since NATO started to give air surveillance support in 2001 as part of the Alliance ’s contribution to the defence against global terrorism, NAEW&C Force has been assigned this type of mission in more than 30 events, including the Winter Olympic Games in Turin in February 2006 and the Pope’s visit to Poland a few days ago. In all, the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force has flown more than 3,000 hours in these missions.

The E3 aircraft, a modified Boeing 707, is equipped with a radar capable of detecting air traffic over large distances and at low altitudes. One E3-A operating at 30,000 feet generates a clear picture of aircraft movements from high to low altitude to a distance greater than 200 nautical miles (approximately 360 kilometres).