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NATO's AWACS aircraft to test high readiness concept

Xinhua, September 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

NATO's Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft will play an important role during Exercise Trident Juncture 2015 In October and November, the security organization said in a press release Tuesday.

During the exercise the AWACS will operate from Trapani airbase in Italy.

Since March 2014, AWACS aircraft have been deployed to conduct NATO Assurance Measures flights on a daily basis.

Flying at 29,000 feet the AWACS can constantly monitor the airspace within a radius of more than 400 km and can exchange information via digital data links with ground-based, sea-based and airborne commanders.

Currently the AWACS fleet is operating with 16 aircraft and a team of approximately 2,000 people.

"The AWACS will be a leading element for the air contributions to the new Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) concept," said Dutch Major Rob van Leeuwen, an AWACS Tactical Director.

"Due to our high readiness posture, within a very short time frame we can be ready to support global command and control operations as directed," said van Leeuwen.

Exercise Trident Juncture 2015 will be the largest exercise conducted by the Alliance since 2002 and will involve 36,000 personnel from more than 30 NATO Allies and partners. Endit