CC-NAEWF - History
NATO Air Base, 52511 Geilenkirchen, Germany
History of the Canadian Contingent NATO Airborne Early Warning Force
A Summary of Canada's Contribution
Background
The Canadian Contribution
Personnel
Background
In December 1978, thirteen NATO nations, including Canada, agreed to participate in the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control (NAEW&C) Programme. Defence ministers of the member nations signed a Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the establishment of a NATO fleet of AEW aircraft with an associated ground environment complex, and national contributions to the administrative programme. The E-3A AWACS aircraft has been operating from the Main Operating Base (MOB) in Geilenkirchen since February, 1982. CC-NAEWF was designated as a unit of the Canadian Forces by Ministerial Order on 3 June 1981.
The Canadian Contribution
Canada’s contribution to the NAEW&C program consists of both personnel and financial resources. Canada’s share of the estimated acquisition cost of $1.8 billion US in 1977 was $176 million, or 9.8% of the total costs. In 2008, Canada’s share of the 284.57 million Euro operating budget was 8.87%, or approximately $40 million dollars Canadian depending on the rate of exchange. This does not include the cost for CF personnel.
Personnel
Of the sixteen NATO nations (excluding the UK) contributing manpower to the NAEW&C Force, Canada's contribution of 121 personnel (including seven at Force Command Headquarters in SHAPE, Belgium and 114 in Geilenkirchen) ranks third, surpassed only by the United States and Germany. The senior Canadian officer in Force Command is a Colonel.
Canada's manpower contribution to the E-3A Component in Geilenkirchen consists of 47 officers in 7 occupations, and 67 non-commissioned members in 10 occupations. CC-NAEWF is commanded by an Air Force Colonel, who also serves as the Commander of the E-3A Operations Wing in his NATO role.
Administrative support to CC-NAEWF is provided by CFSU(E) Det GK. Operating under a MOU between Comd CC-NAEWF and CO CFSU(E), the Det GK Orderly room forms the core of support to our personnel and consists of three Resource Management Support (RMS) Clerks and two civilian employees. The Executive Assistant (EA) to the Commander CC-NAEWF assists the Commander and the Chief of Staff in the execution of their national duties. Additional administrative support and services are provided directly by CFSU(E) at Selfkant-Kaserne.
