A NATO E-3A Sentry flies over the European skies on April 7, 2005. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
The last AWACS Legacy aircraft (tail #444) flies by the U.S.S. George Washington (CVN 73) on March 3, 2008, while deployed to deploy to North America. This is the first time an AWACS conducted a low-approach fl More
An E-3A aircraft takes-off from NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen.
Several NATO AWACS sit on the E-3A Component flightline at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, on Jan. 28, 2010. While 17 E-3A aircraft are assigned to the Component, normally only a certain number are in Gei More
An E-3A aircraft technician works on an engine while deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force.
A Turkish technician from the E-3A Component’s Aircraft Maintenance Squadron reviews a checklist during a phase inspection March 11, 2013, in Hangar I at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Ron Garbarini awaits the take-off of an AWACS March 14, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Biery, a quality assurance inspector for the E-3A Component Logistics Wing, overlooks maintenance personnel and crew chiefs as they prepare an AWACS for takeoff March 14, 2013, a More
On April 2, 2013, firefighters from the NATO E-3A Component help a local fire brigade fight a fire in Geilenkirchen-Bauchem, Germany. (Photo by Georg Schmitz)
Gen. Hans-Lothar Domröse (center) received an in-depth explanation about the E-3A mission capabilities from Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller, (right), before taking a journey on the E-3A Component’s flight simulator du More
An E-3A Sentry, more commonly known as the AWACS, flies over NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, on April 17, 2013. The AWACS is operated by members of the E-3A Component, NATO's first integrated, multination More
Staff Sgt. Sean Hall, a surveillance operator assigned to the E-3A Component’s Flying Squadron 3, helps his son don an oxygen mask April 18, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. Since 1986, April has More
A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard, sits on the flightline at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, on April 24, 2013. The two KC-135s and 27 guardsmen are dep More
Tech. Sgt. Ashley Pearce enjoys a cup of coffee while giving a base tour April 25, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen Germany. The Statesville, N.C., native is an evaluator surveillance operator at the E-3A Component.
An E-3A Sentry takes-off while a Turkish Star taxis on the other side of the runway June 10, 2013, during Anatolian Eagle. The E-3A Component participated in Anatolian Eagle, an air force exercise hosted by the More
Col. John Backstrom (left) relinquishes command from the Operations Wing by handing back the flag to Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller, E-3A Component commander. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
A Tornado ECR from the 511th Squadron of the German Air Force’s 51st Tactical Reconnaissance Wing takes off from Main Air Station Ørland, Norway, during the 2013 NATO Tiger Meet. (Photo by retired Lt. Col. Ulri More
Col. Greg Bell passes the NATO AWACS Supply Squadron guidon to Maj. Alfredo Laboy II during a change of command ceremony July 25, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Andre Joosten)
A member of the E-3A Component performs a perimeter check July, 26, 2013, around NATO Air Base Gielenkirchen, Germany. The component’s international military police conduct several checks throughout the day to More
The navigator seat, or seat 4, sits empty after a 14-hour transatlantic flight on Aug. 1, 2013, from NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, to Seattle, Wash.
Component members from Italy, Spain and United States pose for a group photo after they were presented the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship (Schützenschnur) during an award ceremony host by the German More
A NATO AWACS approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker, from the New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing, for air-to-air refueling Aug. 1, 2013, over St. John’s, Canada. The AAR allowed the E-3A Comp More
A NATO AWACS from the E-3A Component sits on the flightline after arrival Aug. 2, 2013, at Kecskemét, Hungary. The Component was in Kecskemét to participate in the 10th International Air Show and Military Displ More
Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller. E-3A Component commander, and Maj. Dean Jackson fly a NATO AWACS on a simulator on Aug. 2, 2013, at Boeing Field in Seattle, WA., using the upgraded flight-deck and avionics that are c More
The German Federal Minister of Defence, Thomas de Maiziere, sits in the flight deck of a NATO AWACS Aug. 7, 2013, during a visit to the E-3A Component at Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base, Germany. (Photo by Hay Janssen)
Maj. Gen. Jochen Both, Force commander, posed for a photo (from left to right) Lt. Col. Hans Peter Kammer, Lt. Col. Cornelis Pauw and Gerardus Rienties. General Both presented these individuals with certificate More
Senior Master Sgt. Corena L. Grey-Kannegaard and her sponsor, Master Sgt. Orenzy Turner, pose for a photo with Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller, E-3A Component commander, Aug. 9, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen.
Personnel from the Air Field Services Squadron and the German Air Maintenance Group 22 installed a new, climate-controlled radar dome to protect future upgrades to the system at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen. At More
Lt. Col. Mehment Eravşar receives the flag from Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller, which symbolizes accepting the command of FOB Konya. (Photo by Hay Janssen)
The crashed vehicle first had to be stabilized so the simulated casualties could be rescued without further risk. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
An AWACS from the E-3A Component takes-off while a British Merlin MK3 helicopter sits on the flightline Aug. 21, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. Three British Merlin MK3 helicopters arrived at th More
Air Commodore Dennis Luyt, Director of Operations of the Netherlands Air force, visited the Dutch Detachment on Aug. 23, 2013, at the E-3A Component. After an office call with Deputy Commander Colonel René Moer More
A crew chief from the E-3A Component tows an AWACS into place on the flightline Sept. 18, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Maureen Geraets-Head)
Gerrit "Snoopy" Vos, an aircraft maintenance specialist, poses for a photo in front of a NATO AWACS Sept. 18, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. Vos, a native of Nijmegen, Netherlands, has been work More
Col. Arturo Di Martino assumes command of the Training Wing Sept. 20, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Wiel Borghans)
Navigator Lt. Col. Patric Wurmbach ensures the route of the flight is in line with the mission tasking. (Photo by Maureen Geraets-Head)
Members of the ‘GK Runners’ pose for a photo Oct. 6, 2013, prior to competing in a half-marathon in Brussels. (Courtesy Photo)
Runners sprint from the starting line at the beginning of the fourth annual Tri-Border Breast Cancer 5k Run/Walk Oct. 11, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. The event raised 1,702 euros, approximate More
A NATO AWACS from the E-3A Component and several fighter jets fly over southwestern Idaho on Oct. 11, 2013, during exercise Mountain Roundup. (Photo by Ulrich Metternich)
Chief Master Sgt. Michael Möller, E-3A Component public affairs specialist, leads a 43-person group from the Europa-Union Deutschland, Kreisverband Nürnberger Land e.V through Hangar IV Oct. 15, 2013, during a More
E-3A Component personnel deployed to Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, pose for a group photo Oct. 26, 2013, to celebrate reaching 10,000 flight hours in support of Operation Afghan Assist. This is a remarkable acco More
Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller, E-3A Component commander, gives a speech during Forward Operating Location Ørland’s 30th Anniversary dinner Nov. 1 at Ørland, Norway. (Photo by Chief Master Sgt. Michael Möller)
Members of the E-3A Component pose for a photo Nov. 7, 2013, as Lt. Col. Gabriele Gualazzini prepares to cut a ribbon symbolizing the official re-opening of the Combined Facility at Forward Operating Base Trapani, Italy.
An Ohio Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker takes off Nov. 20, 2013, from Forward Operating Location Ørland, Norway. Three E-3As and 93 Component members, along with two KC-135s and 27 airmen from the Ohio A More
More than 350 children and their teachers pose for a group photo with Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller, E-3A Component commander, Dec. 6, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
Christian Coman, NATO Communications and Information Agency, explains the Airport Screening Study to Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller while he walks through the screening process. (Photo courtesy of NCI Agency - Creati More
The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Phillip Breedlove, attaches an International Security Assistance Force campaign pennant to the E-3A Component banner Dec. 11, 2013, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germ More
From left, Evangeline Harden, Dr. Donabelle Hess, Sylvia Pauquet, Mainolf Kniesburges and Brandon Hess, are in this photo.
Children from the Caritas Heimverbund Kreis Heinsberg sit in the flight deck of a KC-135 Stratotanker during a visit to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, Dec. 18, 2014. The visit was part of Operation Nikol More
Members of the E-3A Component refuel a Belgian Alpha Jet Feb. 11, 2014, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. Three Belgian Alpha Jets landed here for fuel while flying from Cazaux Military Air Base in Franc More
Two NATO AWACS sit on the ramp at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The E-3A Component was in Las Vegas to participate in Exercise Red Flag 15-2. (Photo by Chief Master Sgt. Michael Moeller)
E-3A Component aircrew members pose for a group photo at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, before taking off to provide air and maritime surveillance over Romania, March 14, 2014. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
Gen. Frank Gorenc (right), Allied Air Command and US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, lands an E-3A aircraft on a training simulator March 24 during a visit at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen. Gore More
A German Air Force ‘Jamkite’ aircraft sits on the runway April 2, 2014, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.
Eleven medical providers from the local area came to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, to tour the E-3A Component April 4, 2014. The visit was part of an appreciation luncheon hosted by the U.S. clinic. “We More
Deployed members of the E-3A Component pose for a group picture at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan. More than 100 Component personnel spent Easter Sunday forward deployed in support of Operation Afghan Assist. During More
An Airbus A319CJ operated by the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, landed at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, on April 28, 2014
The E-3A Component Commander, Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Mueller, gives a certificate of apprection to Lt. Col. Gero Ronneberger on April 28, 2014, in recognition of more than 20 years at the Component.
Angela Merkel, chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, was greeted by Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Mueller, E-3A Component commander, and his wife, Keri, during a short visit at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen on Apr More
A German Air Force Airbus A310 MRT StratAirMedEvac, was open for static display to interested personnel May 7, 2014, at NATO Air Base, Germany. The Airbus A310 MRT StratAirMedEvac is equipped with a total of si More
E-3A Component personnel pose for a group photo prior to the launch of E-3A tail-number 455 on May 8, 2014, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
As part of the 26th International Children’s Festival, the Turkish National Support Unit conducted a donation campaign at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, to gather toys and clothes for children in Afghani More
Several NATO AWACS sit on the fligtline at Forward Operating Base Konya, Turkey, after the runway closure at the E-3A Component’s main operating base in Germany.
Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Mueller, E-3A Component commander, presents John Wijnands with a certificate of appreciation and a coin for his dedicated service May 14, 2014, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. Wijn More
Lt. Col. Panos "Dragon" Drakopoulos, Forward Operating Base Aktion commander, marshals in a NATO AWACS May 20, 2014, at the E-3A Component’s FOB in Greece. With the runway closure at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen More
Dr. Theo Bovens, the king's commissioner of Limburg in the Netherlands, was a guest at the E-3A Component May 26, 2014. During the visit Doctor Bovens was informed about recent developments at the component suc More
Lt. Col. Massimo Simotti, Italian Air Force, addresses the invited guests, Component personnel and families June 3, 2014, at Sicily, Italy, during his first speech as the commander of Forward Operating Base Tra More
Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Mueller transfers the flag, which symbolizes the command of Forward Operating Base Aktion, Greece, to Lt. Col. Athanasios Tzortas. (Photos by André Joosten)
The runway restoration project at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, recently passed the 50 percent completion mark. Five of the nine construction phases have been accomplished and 1,900 meters of the 2,950 More
A French E-2C Hawkeye taxis down the runway at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, June 18, 2014. The French Naval Aviation (Aeronavale) operates three E-2C Hawkeyes and has been the only operator of the E-2 More
German Federal President Joachim Gauck (center) made a brief stop at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen on June 19, 2014. The president traveled through the base on his way to open the “KARL DER GROSSE. Matcht Kunst S More
A U.S. swimmer completes a lap June 26 during the 2014 HQ AIRCOM Inter-Nation Swimming Championships.
A Turkish Star, an NF-5 aircraft, practices aerial maneuvers July 1, 2014, over the skies of Forward Operating Base Konya, Turkey. The Turkish Stars are the Turkish Air Force’s (TURAF) only aerobatic team. The More
The new Aircrew Training Squadron commander (right) accepts the Aircrew Training Squadron’s flag symbolizing his assumption of command. (Photo by André Joosten)
Col. Arturo Di Martino, Operations and Training Wing commander, passes the Squadron One guidon to Lt. Col. Edward T. Spinelli July 4, 2014, during a change-of-command ceremony at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Ge More
Col. Frank D. Samuelson looks on while Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Mueller, E-3A Component commander, delivers a speech during the Logistics Wing’s change of command ceremony July 7, 2014, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirche More
A participant from the 9th annual Glider Flight Youth Camp poses for a photo July 8, 2014, while sitting in the flight deck of an E-3A during a visit to NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.
Former German Minister of Defense Dr. Volker Ruehe (middle) visited NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, July 9, 2014, to learn about the volume and the importance of the E-3A Component’s mission. Minister Rue More
Members of the Canadian Contingent prepared to lower the Canadian flag July 11, 2014, at the E-3A Club on NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. The flag lowering ceremony marked Canada’s official withdraw from More
A member of the AWACS International Marching Team takes a break July 18, 2014, before completing the last 20 kilometers of the 4-Daagse March in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
The first Dutch victims of the accident involving Malaysian Air Flight 17 returned home July 23, 2014. In light to this, the Dutch Prime Minister declared the day as a Dutch National Day of Mourning. To honor More
On Aug. 29, 2014, the last Canadian military members will leave NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany, after 34 years of proud, professional and dedicated service to the E-3A Component. For more information, cli More
Tech. Sgt. Pete Demkow, the Aerial Port Operations section chief, adjusts a tow strap prior to loading cargo Aug. 1, 2014, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.
Lt. Col. Massimo Simotti, the Forward Operating Base Trapani commander, poses for a photo Aug. 2, 2014, in front of a NATO AWACS.
The old ‘legacy cockpit’ is shown on the top while the modernized ‘glass cockpit’ is shown on the bottom. The NATO E-3A fleet is being modernized to ensure compliance with current and provides the requisites fo More
The Flight Deck crew trains from FOL Ørland. These special pilot sorties focus on flight deck training only. This includes air-to-air refuelling, approaches at different airfields and simulated emergency proced More
A NATO AWACS approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Ohio Air National Guard for air-to-air refueling Aug. 19, 2014, some where over Norway. The tanker and AWACS are deployed to FOL Ørland.
A father and son share a moment at the surveillance controller console inside a NATO AWACS deployed to Forward Operating Location Ørland, Norway. As a result of the runway restoration at the E-3A Component's ma More
The Canadian Senior National Representative, Lt. Col. Douglas J. Fairley, handed over the Canadian National Support Unit building to the E-3A Component Commander, Maj. Gen. Andrew Mueller Aug. 28, 2014. This sy More
With the closure of the runway at its main operating base, the majority of the E-3A Component’s fleet has functioned out of Turkey, Greece, Italy and Norway. The Component’s organic ability to perform from thes More
Members of Squadron II conduct Operation Afghan Assist (OAA) training on the mission simulator Sept. 3, 2014, in preparation for the E-3A Component’s last deployment to Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan. OAA, which s More
Lt. Col. Andrea Franzese gives a speech after assuming command of Squadron 2 during a ceremony at the E-3A on NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
Senior Airman Conner Sona, a native of Harper, Kansas, salutes the lowering of the U.S. flag during a retreat ceremony Sept. 11, 2014, at 4:15 p.m. to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist atta More
Members of the 470th Air Base Squadron run in formation Sept. 12, 2014, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Caber)
A NATO AWACS flies over Kleine Brogel Airbase, while being escorted by two Belgian F-16 aircraft.
A NATO AWACS prepares to take off for an Operation Afghan Assist mission Sept. 21, 2014 at Mazar-e Sharif. This mission was the E-3A Component’s last operational sortie over Afghanistan. The component will now More
Col. Frank Samuelson (third from the right), Lt. Col Uwe Schulz (third from the left) and other key personnel in the runway restoration project cut a ribbon Sept. 22, 2014, during a ceremony to mark the complet More
The last NATO AWACS in the International Security Assistance Force’s area of operations left Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan, Sept.23, 2014. The jet made a stop at Forward Operating Base Aktion, Greece, and will re More
The Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Jochen Both, awards the Operation Unified Protector pennant to the E-3A Component Sept. 25, 2014, during a ceremony at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)
An E-3A, the last NATO AWACS to deploy to Mazar-e Sharif, flies over NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen Sept. 25, 2014, after returning from Afghanistan. (Photo by Andrea Hohenforst)