Master Sergeant Aleksi of the Finnish Air Force has made history as the first Finnish military member to join the E-3A Component. After successfully completing Individual Deployment and Life Support training, he advanced to the academic phase with the Aircrew Training Squadron, where he prepared for his new duties as Weapons Controller aboard the NATO E-3A AWACS.
His training culminated in his first operational flight on 15 April 2025, where he put his newly acquired knowledge into practice, gaining valuable experience in managing complex air operations and contributing to situational awareness in a real-world mission environment.
“It was an honour to fly with NATO AWACS,” said Master Sergeant Aleksi.
You immediately feel the scale and complexity of the mission—working with so many nations, in real time. It’s a powerful example of how NATO comes together in practice.
The mission took place during Exercise Ramstein Alloy 2025, a two-day training event designed to support NATO’s Baltic Air Policing and showcase the Alliance’s readiness and interoperability
Since joining NATO in April 2023, Finland has steadily increased its involvement in Allied air operations. Integration into the E-3A Component reflects Finland’s growing role in strengthening collective defence, contributing both advanced capabilities and skilled personnel.
Master Sergeant Aleksi after his first flight aboard a NATO E-3A AWACS. Photo by OR-5 Andrew Hummel.
“Flying with AWACS is more than just a mission—it’s a symbol of how national expertise supports NATO’s shared goals,” said Colonel Henk Kiffen, Deputy Commander of the NATO E-3A Component.
A total of 17 NATO member nations participate in the overall NAEW&CF programme: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (Luxembourg does not provide military personnel).
In addition to these member nations, Canada, France, now Finland and Lithuania provide military personnel to the E-3A Component. The E-3A Component holds a unique place in military history because it is the first multinational flying unit established by the Alliance.