A Finnish Air Force officer has flown aboard a NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft for the first time, marking a key milestone in Finland’s integration into NATO air operations, according to a news update published by Allied Air Command on 17 April.
Master Sergeant Aleksi participated in the mission during Exercise Ramstein Alloy 2025 on 15 April, a recurring air policing drill designed to boost coordination and readiness among NATO Allies in the Baltic region.
Having completed training with NATO’s Aircrew Training Squadron, Aleksi now serves as a Weapons Controller, responsible for supporting the execution of complex, multinational air operations from aboard the E-3A platform.
“It was an honour to fly with NATO AWACS,” said Aleksi. “You immediately feel the scale and complexity of the mission — working with so many nations, in real time. It’s a powerful example of how NATO comes together in practice.”
Ramstein Alloy is overseen by Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem under Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) and plays a central role in enhancing interoperability among Baltic Air Policing participants.
“Flying with AWACS is more than just a mission — it’s a symbol of how national expertise supports NATO’s shared goals,” said Colonel Henk Kiffen, Deputy Commander of the NATO E-3A Component.
Finland formally joined NATO in April 2023, and its involvement in AWACS operations now adds to its growing role in collective defence, contributing to both regional situational awareness and NATO’s deterrence posture.
The E-3A Component, part of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force (NAEW&CF), is considered one of NATO’s most important assets for surveillance and airborne command and control. While 17 NATO countries support the programme, only a few—including Canada, France, Lithuania, and now Finland—provide military personnel to operate the E-3A fleet.
Described by NATO as the Alliance’s first multinational flying unit, the E-3A Component continues to symbolise operational unity across borders and militaries.
