New Year's Reception - 2017 a pivotal year for the Force

GEILENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - On Thursday, January 11, 2018, the NAEW&C Force Commander, Major General Dawn Dunlop, and E-3A Component Commander, Brigadier General Karsten Stoye, hosted the second annual New Year’s Reception at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen’s E-3A Club. The event was an opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of 2017 and thank those responsible for making the year a success.

The Force and Component were honored to welcome numerous local mayors and political dignitaries, to include Mayor Schmitz from Geilenkirchen, Governor Pusch from Heinsberg and Mr. Ollers of the German Parliament. Lieutenant General Campins, Lieutenant General Rittimann and Major General Alex from JFC Brunssum’s Command team were in attendance, as well as several retired commanders from within the Force and German Air Force, to include former E-3A Component Commander and German Air Chief, Lieutenant General (retired) Stieglitz, and former Force Commander, Major General (retired) Tüttelmann.

General Dunlop and General Stoye highlighted that our team delivered 100% mission effectiveness across 4 NAC tasked Air C2 operations, to include completing our 45^th month of continuous Assurance Measure support, while at the same time providing continuous support to the C-ISIL fight. Exercises are also a big part of the E-3A mission, and in 2017, NATO AWACS flew 28 exercises, across 2 continents, supporting 16 nations, to include MARCOM’s FORMIDIBLE SHIELD Exercise. These accomplishments were only possible because of the hard work of the great Airmen, teams, and leaders here at Geilenkirchen, as well as our foresight in conducting critical analysis of NATO’s strategic intent, and finding smart ways to align our operational taskings with our reduced resources.

Flying a mixed aircraft fleet undergoing 3 major modifications, all while training new aircrew and ensuring our limited fleet of aircraft was maintained and ready to fly, provided challenges for both the Operations and Logistics Wings to solve on a daily basis. Necessary base improvements to our infrastructure, security, and support services also helped ensure we were able to start 2018 on the right course. These successes were made in concert with our NATO partners at Shape, AIRCOM, JFC Brunssum, and with the tremendous support of the local Tri-border community, which has been instrumental to the NATO AWACS mission over the past three and a half decades.

Following the official comments, the assembled guests socialized and celebrated the arrival of the New Year while enjoying a variety of foods and a small wine tasting. General Dunlop extended her thanks to all attendees for their enduring support of the NATO AWACS mission, and wished everyone a very purposeful, successful and safe 2018.

Story by NAEW&C Force Public Affairs Office