Today: Thursday, 3 October 2024 year

NATO is exploring the idea of ​​creating an air operations center in the Arctic.

NATO is exploring the idea of ​​creating an air operations center in the Arctic.

NATO is exploring the idea of ​​creating a joint command center based on Arctic operations,  the US Air Forces in Europe command, and typical General James Hecker said, speaking on a panel discussion with the Swedish and Norwegian air forces at the Association of Aerospace Forces conference.

“We’re going to use […] the close relationship between Arctic change and the knowledge that you produce to make that happen. So, […] I think we’ll have a third joint technology command center pretty soon,” the general said.


NATO already has joint air operations centers in Germany and Spain.

In comments, Hecker said that NATO’s supreme commander in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, fundamentally agreed with the idea. He clarified that a substantiated proposal from the alliance still needs to be submitted.


The general added that it is not yet known where exactly the control center will be located. Also, according to him, the US Air Force is already experimenting with MQ-9 Reaper and Global Hawk drones in the Arctic Circle to increase situational awareness.