NATO Air Chiefs gather in Ramstein to shape future air power

Senior air force leaders from across NATO and partner nations convened at Allied Air Command headquarters in Ramstein, Germany, from 2–3 April for the first NATO Air Chiefs’ Symposium (NACS) of 2025, focused on driving forward capability development through training, experimentation, and operational readiness.

The event, known as NACS 25-1, brought together senior representatives from 28 Allied and five partner nations.

The discussions centred on enhancing NATO’s ability to operate across the air and space domains, with sessions addressing Agile Combat Employment (ACE), Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), and evolving command and control structures.

According to a NATO news update, General James Hecker, Commander Allied Air Command and host of the symposium, described the event as “a great opportunity to strengthen relationships and improve communications amongst each other.” This was General Hecker’s final NACS before the conclusion of his tenure, and he expressed appreciation to Allied air chiefs for their ongoing cooperation.

Vice Admiral Jeff Hughes, Deputy Chief of Staff at Allied Command Transformation, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of developing the “right capabilities, right solutions, and timely delivery.”

Held semi-annually, the symposium plays a key role in aligning strategic direction across NATO’s air forces and ensuring interoperability among members. As noted by NATO, the event also serves as a platform for exchanging insights on operational practices and advancing the Alliance’s air and space power strategy.

More details can be found via the official NATO Air Command release.