NATO’s first all-female aircrew conducted command and control operations

Europe, News February 14, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF) for the first time conducted command and control (C2) operations with all-female aircrew. The flight was conducted on February 9, 2024, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.

According to the NATO statement, “The flight was a regular mission sortie for the multinational crew in support of NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activities (eVA). With the flight, NATO AWACS highlights the women working in the Airborne Early Warning community and shines a light on female aviation.”

22 crew members from eight allied nations, including Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and the U.S., participated in the mission sortie. The flight was part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities.

The NATO AEWCF statement highlighted that the mission sortie was organized by the NAEW&CF Women’s Initiative Team (WIT), who seek to champion “equality and inclusion”. The statement added that it was “the first attempt of a crew comprised of female aviators representing various backgrounds highlighting the achievements of women in aviation.”

Aircrew Training Squadron Simulator Operations Chief, Captain Ciara said, “The flight demonstrates that the mission and every position on board the AWACS can be executed by women. Showcasing the capabilities of the female crew will prove that women are able to perform in traditionally male-dominated occupations in equal capacity.”

NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force all-female crew — ^{Women assigned to the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force gather for a group photo after conducting the first all-female NATO AWACS flight on February 9th, 2024, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. (Image Credit: NATO/Staff Sgt. Andrew Sarver)}

NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force Aircrew Training Squadron Flight Commander, Captain Béatrice said that “it is normal for the E-3A AWACS to have women on the flight or serve as maintainers for the aircraft.” She added, “The purpose of this flight encompassed our operational mission, safeguarding NATO’s borders.”

The 2020 Summary of National Reports of NATO Member and Partner Nations emphasized that the “average percentage of women in the armed forces of the NATO Alliance has more than doubled since 1998”.

NATO members are dedicated to safeguarding one billion people, and the Alliance recognizes the important contribution of women in advancing a more robust Alliance, leveraging the skills and talents of its diverse populace.

Technical Sergeant Maddie, 852nd Medical Dental Squadron Laboratory NCO In-Charge said, “Everyone is unique and brings individual talents to the team, which benefits our operational effectiveness within NATO. By recognizing strength in diversity, we can unleash its potential and positively impact the culture at NATO.”