General Tod D. Wolters hosted the first NATO Air Chiefs’ Symposium of 2019, bringing commanders from NATO’s Air Forces and other Allied Command Operations headquarters together.
The event was hosted at Allied Air Command Ramstein to discuss Air and Space Power’s contribution to enhancing deterrence and defence.
_o6a8447b%20web.jpg)
The event, say NATO, provided a venue for the senior representatives to exchange views and discuss opportunities to develop further cooperation in the Air and Space domains.
“As we enter the year of NATO’s 70th anniversary, our Alliance is stronger than ever,” said General Wolters in his opening address to the symposium.
“Today’s environment demands enhanced readiness and a forward-leaning posture to maintain 360-degree deterrence. Last year, we enhanced Alliance capabilities by establishing a more responsive Air command and control element to deliver full-spectrum Air and Space Power in support of NATO Joint Operations.
This year will see a focus on continued efforts to further develop our multi-domain capabilities, including ever-vigilant capabilities in the air, space and cyber domains,” General Wolters added.
A highlight of the symposium was the key note address by the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Sir James Everard, who communicated his views on the strategic context and provided insights on the NATO Readiness Initiative, including potential challenges for NATO’s Air Forces.
“As we enter the year of NATO’s 70th anniversary, our Alliance is stronger than ever,”
hmm I wonder.
NATO is too big and too unwieldy to be a serious military alliance. It’s an organisation now to provide limited security assistance to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Very few nations would enact article 5 in the face of Russian aggression if they themselves were not being directly threatened. The UK should remain a member but distance itself from the command structure. We should also seek the removal ( unfortunately no firm way to do this) of the weak link countries like Greece and Hungary and possibly Germany. These countries offer almost nothing in defence benefits and Cary great risks… Read more »
Seems to have worked so far.
Article 5 has only been tested once against the Taliban. One only has to look at the very look warm support for the UK over the Salisbury incident. Would Germany, Hungary or Greece declare war on Russia if it invaded Latvia?
I think this proves my point. NATO is a deterrent. It is only truly successful if it is never used. It is impossible to say exactly how things might have turned out if NATO had never existed but I think that comparing the death rate due to war in the last 70 years for NATO countries and its likely adversaries to that of the previous 70 (or indeed recorded history) might give an indication.
“NATO is watering itself down by allowing ‘joke’ countries with no military to speak of, that don’t spend the 2% GDP, that have corrupt at worst, slightly dodgy at best governments, that may have grudges /disputes with each other, this list goes on.” I think this, especially down south around the Med, was an attempt at preventing the spread of communism and the Warsaw Pact. Better to have them on your side, or maybe not?! Also in theory secured the NATO southern flank, kept the Black Sea Fleet tied up, etc. Communism had also taken hold in Greece at the… Read more »
Actually Greece has a half decent military wth one of the biggest sub fleets in Europe, granted it’s directed at turkey but would be of more use than Spain or Italy in event of war
Yes Greece took out huge loans from German banks to buy German Submarines and German Leopard M.B.T.
I wonder how many subs and tanks are actually serviceable. Anybody know?
It has a decent military capability for its size however it’s government is highly dependent on Moscow for money and it freely allows the Russian’s to exercise its veto in both the EU and NATO. It’s military capabilities pale in comparisons to its political risk. It was brought in when we were worried about the soviets trying to take control of the Med but that’s no longer the case. Countries need to understand that NATO is not some free club where you get to come in a do whatever you want. The UK needs to face the reality that it… Read more »
Just read from official.gov website that all 9 p8s will be delivered next year with first deployment in the artic. Sorry bit off topic, this can’t be true can it? Didn’t think the last one would be until 2024
“Nine of the P8 Poseidon aircraft will be delivered to RAF Lossiemouth in 2020”
Oh dear.
Could we even train the crews to use them all in the time, even if it were true.
Quite agree RGR. Nothing wrong with your ways btw, I find some of your posts hilarious. Better than acting like a pompus arse like some. I have always believed in NATO, but am starting to waver. I consider the Northern countries like Netherlands, Norway, Denmark reliable allies. Spain, Turkey, obviously not so much! I’m also very keen on the idea of making more of the Anglosphere alliances and Japan. I wonder though if NATO folded what would happen in the vacuum? Even as a staunch believer in Brexit I can appreciate the ripples it’s causing in the established order. I… Read more »
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-announces-first-deployment-for-new-sub-hunter-aircraft
Is there anything dear Gavin won’t announce, next he will be telling of the sailing of HMS dreadnought in 2032 followed by completion of the UK’s first Battlestar thanks the the billion quid he squeezed out of the treasury. As with Hammond and the rest of the Tory’s the day he leaves the MOD and gets promoted will be the day he starts pushing for MOD cuts again.
Another Liam Fox style opportunist is the last thing the MOD needs.
It’s political grandstanding, like naming ships that are a decade away from even being built.
I still like the fella though.
Definitely talking himself into a leadership contender but until that voice breaks he’s got no chance. Good to see him getting stuck in in the artic though even if he did look like a saggy condom. Far better than the last lot of defsecs
Exactly. Careful what some wish for!
We could have Fallon or Ainsworth…
With you there. “Yes there’s a lot of doom and gloom around lately Brexit, cuts to this, cuts to that, economic gloom especially with news over the last few days.” This is a Great Country, with a big economy, in the UNSC P5, in the G8, G20, on the board of the IMF, the World Bank, self proclaimed Nuclear power, a language spoken far and wide, and with cultural, diplomatic, and military links worldwide. In soft power we are almost unsurpassed, I think I’m right there? I’m not talking about money, but brand. Language, the Monarchy, weddings and funerals of,… Read more »
No, Chris Barrie will be captain of the battle start Britannia ?
Sorry just been too busy to fully catch up on your comments many of which I fully agree with. Just thought you guys might appreciate an alternate viewpoint. If you are happier chatting alone – no problem. I’m not offended by the way although I might be a pompous arse?.
That part of the article about P8 delivery is misleading – I think it’s meant to say the delivery of nine P8’s from 2020. It’s no more than 3 in the first year or so I believe to enable an initial operating capability to be established.
The website article is misleading – I think it should state delivery of 9 P8’s from 2020. The initial operating capability with the first 3 aircraft I believe with delivery not complete until 2023.
I believe that NATO has probably surpassed its founders wildest dreams. They probably thought we would all be toast by now. 🙂