10 October 2001
Text: NATO's Ralston on Historic Deployment to Continental U.S.
(Actions underline commitment of NATO nations to fight terrorism)
(340)
General Joseph J. Ralston, the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe
(SACEUR), said the deployment to the United States October 9 of the
first two of five NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems aircraft
(AWACS) marks a historic first.
The AWACS deployment in conjunction with the reassignment to the
eastern Mediterranean of a NATO naval force with ships from eight
countries underline the "unwavering commitment" of NATO's 19 member
nations to fight terrorism, Ralston said.
Following is the text of his statement:
(begin text)
SHAPE News Release
October 10, 2001
SACEUR STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA
SHAPE, Belgium
October 9, 2001
Today marks a historic first for NATO. Today, for the first time in
the organization's 52-year history, assets are being made available to
the continental United States, on their request, in support of Article
5 operations. Two of a total of five NATO Airborne Warning and Control
Systems aircraft - the AWACS - began deploying today to the United
States from our base in Geilenkirchen, Germany. The remaining aircraft
will follow in the next few days.
These NATO aircraft, manned by multinational crews from 12 NATO
nations, provide a critical air surveillance and early warning
capability in operations. This deployment will directly support those
aircraft under the command of the North American Aerospace Defense
Command, or NORAD for short, by providing assets required to support
the global campaign against terrorism.
In addition, NATO naval assets presently on exercise off the coast of
Spain were re-assigned today to a new mission. Effective immediately,
the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED), consisting of
nine ships from eight NATO countries, will set sail to provide an
allied military presence in the eastern Mediterranean and to
demonstrate our resolve.
These two actions underline the unwavering commitment of the 19 NATO
nations to fight terrorism. Of course, we stand ready to provide any
additional support requested by the United States, on order of the
North Atlantic Council.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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