On April 15, 2022, NATO’s Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC) in Poggio Renatico, Italy, deployed one of its Ground Air Ground (GAG) communications modules to Campia Turzii, Romania, to support Allied Air Operations in its eastern Allies’ airspace. Overseen by Allied Air Command in Ramstein, the deployment of GAG radio equipment enhances the Recognized Air Picture further bolstering NATO Control and Reporting Centres’ execution of enhanced Air Policing and enhanced Vigilance activities. The DACC, based at Poggio Renatico in northern Italy, provides a capability for deployable Surveillance and Control of Alliance Air Operations.
“The security environment in Europe has changed dramatically. Our first priority is to contribute to NATO’s effort to draw on a robust and capable military posture to deter from an attack on the Alliance and be prepared to defend when deterrence fails. We have been able to deploy the GAG module already in the past, demonstrating we are fully committed and ready to do whatever is required to operate effectively with other NATO and Partner Nations demonstrating military capability and cohesion of the Alliance,” Major General D. J. Traas, DACCC Commander said during an address to his troops as they prepared to deploy with the convoy.
The GAG has been deployed twice a year participating in several editions of the deployment exercise Ramstein Dust, whilst providing the opportunity for the DACCC to validate the GAG module’s remote capabilities using NATO’s Air Command and Control System as a shared platform to plan and execute Air Operations. The DACCC provides NATO’s Allied Air Command a capability for deployable surveillance and control of Alliance Air Operations. Its mission is to prepare elements for worldwide operational deployment. Supporting delivery of air and space power for the Alliance on behalf of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
NATO’s Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC) mission is to prepare elements for worldwide operational deployment and, together with the Combined Air Operations Centres, to deliver well-trained and specialised experts to augment Allied Air Command during Allied operations and exercises. The unit comprises four functional pillars; two deployable elements utilised in operations and exercises and two that support routine duties when in garrison. Sixteen NATO Nations contribute to the Deployable Air Command and Control Centre’s 295 posts.
