NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft controlled Swedish Air Force fighter jets in Swedish airspace demonstrating further integration with the youngest NATO Ally. Earlier this week, NATO AWACS set the stage for smooth interoperability with the Swedish Air Force by working towards normalizing diplomatic clearance procedures required to operate in Swedish airspace. During flying events on September 1 and 2, Swedish JAS-39 Gripen from the Blekinge and Skaraborg air flotillas flew missions under AWACS control. This is a major step towards routine training and tactical cooperation with Sweden. Two liaison officers from the Combat Command and Air Surveillance Battalion were flying on board the NATO AWACS to ensure proper coordination with Swedish authorities.
“Sweden has now been a member of NATO for six months and is making great strides advancing integration in Alliance air force and command structures. By carrying out everyday operations and activities with common resources, we become stronger together and enhance our interoperability. What has been new is the fact NATO AWACS has been integrated into Swedish day-to-day operations. This requires special coordination, not least because the missions were conducted in the same airspace as civilian passenger aircraft and because the flight paths were not pre-planned. With the ASC 890, Sweden operates a similar aircraft which – like the bigger E-3A – provides a flying command and air surveillance capability for large areas with its roof-mounted radar,” said Colonel Dennis Hedström, Commander of the Swedish Air Staff.
The ability to integrate AWACS into daily operations is an important step in Swedish NATO integration and is further proof that the boundaries between national and international operations are blurring, said the Swedish operator who was on board the AWACS. NATO owns and operates the fleet of E-3A AWACS aircraft and regularly employs them in the framework of early warning, command and control or airspace control both during real-world and training operation. While the AWACS fleet is home-based at Geilenkirchen in Germany, the one flying with the Swedish took off from a Forward Operating Base at Rygge, Norway, where they are temporarily deployed.
The Boeing E-3 Sentry is an American airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft developed by Boeing. E-3s are commonly known as AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). Production E-3A aircraft with TF33 engines and AN/APY-1 radar, 24 built for USAF (later converted to E-3B standard), total of 34 ordered but the last 9 completed as E-3C. One additional aircraft retained by Boeing for testing, 18 built for NATO with TF33 engines and 5 for Saudi Arabia with CFM56 engines. NATO acquired 18 E-3As and support equipment, with the first aircraft delivered in January 1982.The aircraft are registered in Luxembourg. The eighteen E-3s were operated by Number 1, 2 and 3 Squadrons of NATO’s E-3 Component, based at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen.
