Matzos
27-06-06, 07:14
The Royal Air Force is keeping a watchful eye over this summer's World Cup tournament in Germany – using a fleet of state-of-the-art surveillance aircraft. The E-3D early warning aircraft, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, are patrolling the skies over Germany as part of a NATO force to provide extra security during the matches and ceremonies.
The force is supporting German air surveillance throughout the tournament, at the request of the German national authorities, by providing additional low-level coverage and radio relay.
http://www.militaryimages.net/imagehost/images/Matzos/3d.jpg
E-3D
The E-3 aircraft, a modified Boeing 707, is equipped with a radar capable of detecting air traffic over large distances and at low altitudes. One E-3 operating at 30,000 feet generates a clear picture of aircraft movements from high to low altitude to a distance greater than 200 nautical miles (approximately 360 kilometres).
The E-3D are carrying out their mission in Germany from their base at RAF Waddington. Along with E-3A aircraft operating from their base at Geilenkirchen in Germany, they form the two Components of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&C Force).
Since NATO started to give air surveillance support in 2001 as part of the Alliance’s contribution to defence against global terrorism, the NAEW&C Force has been assigned this type of mission in more than 30 events. They kept guard over the Winter Olympic Games in Turin in February 2006 and the Pope’s visit to Poland last month. In all, the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force has flown more than 3,000 hours in these missions.
Source - MoD website
The force is supporting German air surveillance throughout the tournament, at the request of the German national authorities, by providing additional low-level coverage and radio relay.
http://www.militaryimages.net/imagehost/images/Matzos/3d.jpg
E-3D
The E-3 aircraft, a modified Boeing 707, is equipped with a radar capable of detecting air traffic over large distances and at low altitudes. One E-3 operating at 30,000 feet generates a clear picture of aircraft movements from high to low altitude to a distance greater than 200 nautical miles (approximately 360 kilometres).
The E-3D are carrying out their mission in Germany from their base at RAF Waddington. Along with E-3A aircraft operating from their base at Geilenkirchen in Germany, they form the two Components of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&C Force).
Since NATO started to give air surveillance support in 2001 as part of the Alliance’s contribution to defence against global terrorism, the NAEW&C Force has been assigned this type of mission in more than 30 events. They kept guard over the Winter Olympic Games in Turin in February 2006 and the Pope’s visit to Poland last month. In all, the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force has flown more than 3,000 hours in these missions.
Source - MoD website