NATO has opened a new Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Bodø, Norway, strengthening the Alliance’s command and control network and enhancing coordination of air operations across the Arctic and northern Europe, according to NATO Allied Air Command.
The centre was formally inaugurated on 10 October 2025 during a ceremony attended by senior NATO, Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish officials. Major General Tron Strand assumed command as CAOC Bodø’s first commander, marking what NATO described as a milestone in the Alliance’s preparedness and unity.
“Today, we inaugurate a critical and pivotal command and control node for further securing NATO airspace,” said Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Acting Commander of NATO Allied Air Command. “NATO is supremely grateful to the Norwegians for hosting this enhanced C2 capability in the High North.”
CAOC Bodø joins existing NATO centres in Uedem, Germany, and Torrejón, Spain, forming a triad of operational hubs responsible for planning, directing and coordinating air activities across Europe. Together, they monitor up to 30,000 air movements daily within NATO airspace.
The new facility enhances operational awareness in the High North and provides redundancy within NATO’s air command structure, ensuring continuous command and control even in contested conditions. It will also assume responsibility for Norway’s long-standing Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission, continuing the nation’s 64-year record of defending NATO’s northern skies, a mission now carried out by Norwegian and Allied F-35 pilots.
Major General Strand said the centre’s role will expand over time. “CAOC Bodø will provide the necessary contributions to the future CAOC model. We will contribute credible deterrence for the Alliance, and we will be ready to fight if necessary,” he said.
Vice Admiral Doug Perry, Commander of NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk, said the activation of CAOC Bodø “marks a new milestone in demonstrating NATO’s preparedness and unity.” He added that it will strengthen coordination between Allied Air Command, JFC Norfolk and Nordic partners, supporting deterrence and defence from the Atlantic to the Arctic.
Initially staffed primarily by Norwegian personnel, CAOC Bodø will gradually assume additional operational roles.
I hope it is in a big bunker not obvious from the surface.
Unlike the RAF, who a few years ago had our UK southern version of this in the old airman’s mess at RAF Scampton, because HMG cut the CRCs which were tucked underground in Cold War R3 bunkers at Neatishead and Buchan, while keeping Boulmer.
The CRC at Boulmer is the only one now, as CRC Scampton was then cut after a few years.
Typical HMG incompetence, short sightedness, and eggs in one basket if Boulmer fails.
What is the betting no alternate exists?