Flying radar

The air early informing and guidance strategy was developed in the 1970s. From the very beginning, its task was to detect and track objects in airspace and to mark fighters. Initially, 12 countries were active in the programme, including the USA, Turkey, Canada and Germany. In time, Poland besides joined him. NATO Joint Air Force Early informing (NATO Airborne Early informing & Control Force – NAEW&CF) was formed in 1980. Its office were in Mons, Belgium, and in 2015 it was moved to Germany, where it inactive functions today.

On the surface of the NATO base in Geilenkirchen we see respective E3A aircraft, “Sly” explains that there are a full of 14 of them. erstwhile we wait early in the morning for boarding, technicians appear around. They're checking all the systems to make certain the plane is ready to go. Among them is another Pole, a young man called “Teo”, a radar method that is liable for the efficiency of the most crucial component of the AWACS system. “Before the plane leaves, we check the radar equipment placed in the aircraft chassis and inside the platform,” explains the technicians. It takes him about an hour. The consequence of his work did not bring surprises, but the technicians detected the failure of the hydraulic system. The groundhandling specialists are rapidly appearing. “If it is serious, we may not fly,” warns “Sly”, but virtually 10 minutes later it informs that the malfunction has been removed.

So can we get on board? Wait a minute! The crew must take their positions before us. So we're waiting for a pilot, an engineer, and I'm certain there's a technician on board. I am amazed to see a bus appearing on the disc, which leaves more than 20 people. These are AWACS crew members who board 1 by one, taking their food and drink bags along the way. – The prose of life – laughs “Sly”. The flight will be long, it will take at least a fewer hours, so we request any food with us. We are to execute a training mission over Germany, during which 1 of the officers will take a tactical manager exam. In addition, in the air we anticipate the command of tactical aviation, so people from the aviation management section will besides do their work – the officer explains.

Hey, crew!

Here we go! I'm a small amazed due to the fact that inside the plane seems like it's from the erstwhile era. Screens of monitors, on which specialists will be tracking various objects in a moment, are associated with the 1980s. – It is true, they do not look like from the 21st century – laughs “Sly”. But that's all it takes. They are not about the superpowers of the aircraft, but about its many sensors," the officer explains. Not much can be said about them, due to the fact that the information is not public. “You can imagine how immense a part of AWACS are erstwhile we realize that they usage up to 80% of the power produced by aircraft engines,” says “Teo”.

When the plane takes off, we all gotta sit in the seats at the end of the plane and fasten our seat belts. We're about to break off the runway and emergence to about 10,000 metres, where the radar will begin its work. erstwhile the informing light reminding about the belts goes out, “Sly” invites: “It’s time to meet the AWACS crew – Soldiers from respective NATO countries are on board due to the fact that the crews are always international. We start with the pilot cabin. present there are German and Hungarian pilots behind the controls. They're accompanied by an engineer on board. – What is the hardest thing about piloting specified a machine? – I ask them. I think it's a long flight. We spend a twelve hours in the air. This can be exhausting – says 1 of them.

Right behind the compartment are the positions of persons active in the detection, recognition and tracking of objects. 1 of them is Pole, St. Chor. Staff. Peter. – The information we get creates the alleged RAP, i.e. admit air picture, which we transmit to ground units specified as the CAOC [Combined Air Operations Centre]," he talks about his work. – And after receiving your information, can it, for example, launch a pair of on-call fighters? – I ask. “This is how it works, although it is much more complicated,” Peter smiles. Right behind it is the most many section on board, which includes command of aviation and combat. The navigators working here are targeting fighters. During this training mission they were expected to practice working with the pilots of German aircraft, but for reasons independent of them the training was canceled. – Sometimes this happens, we have no influence on everything – he comments “Sly” and leads us a fewer steps further. “This is my occupation position, the tactical director,” says the officer. He is liable for the course of the mission, coordination of the work of all sections and communication with superiors and ground command posts. “Sly” is besides an teacher and teaches those who would like to become tactical directors. We teach them everything at the base in Geilenkirchen. As I said, present 1 of the students is being examined, we are checking on how he is doing in the air – explains the major.

There's a squad leader on the next computer. – He decides on the parameters of the radar, how to set it, so that it can act as effectively as possible in a given mission – says the officer. Captain Agnieszka works next door, who is simply a passive controller. Its task is to detect electromagnetic energy sources and find the kind of platform that emits it. How is it served at the Natovian base? Amazing. It's a very interesting service. A large value is being in an global environment, due to the fact that you can exchange experiences – Agnieszka admits. “Teo” works right behind her computer. I service in Geilenkirchen on a second, over three-year contract. I am not only a radar technician but besides an teacher and an evaluator, that is to say, I measure the training of another technicians and give privileges to instructors – says “Teo”.

Dinner time.

Everyone's going back to their classes, and we're going to the end of the plane, where there's a social corner. Here you can warm your dinner, prepare tea or coffee and take a nap on bunk beds. It happens due to the fact that we're not indestructible. erstwhile the flight is long, it is worth a remainder – says “Sly”. At dinner (never a part yet I didn't like the salmon as much as here!) an officer tells about the capabilities of the plane. – It usually takes about an eight-hour flight. But it can be easy extended due to the fact that the platform has the anticipation to refuel in the air. It can be done even a fewer times. Worse with the crew, which simply after working for a twelve hours in full focus can get tired. safety is the most crucial for us, so we make certain that no 1 does more tasks than the maximum crew working time – Sly says.

– Do you frequently execute tasks on the east flank of NATO? – I ask. “When the war broke out in Ukraine 2 years ago, AWACS became more active in the region’s operations as part of the Assurance Measures mission. specified operations in this area were besides carried out before the war broke out. Just after 22 February 2022 there are more, says the officer. I look on the plane again and the crew that resembles bees in the hive – their work for an accidental observer may seem chaotic, while each soldier knows precisely what to do and how to work with others. “Working here is simply a large pleasure,” says “Sly”. – Adventure, development, gaining professional experience. My full real raid on this platform is over 1,700 hours, I have worked in the E3A component for 7 years, and I have no thought erstwhile they have passed," the officer adds. I did not pay much attention to that conviction at the time, but I remembered it erstwhile I landed. I answered my telephone and looked at an hour. It turns out it's been 7 hours since the launch! When? We were just buckled up on the plane. The time on board AWACS is indeed passing incredibly quickly.