(Source of Photos: NATO / Boeing )

NATO: Making The Concept A Reality…

By Admiral James Stavridis, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe

• NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Admiral James Stavridis, has been part of several key developments for the Alliance. These include when the Alliance set out its first new mission statement – or Strategic Concept – for 10 years. Here, he outlines how the ideas have been put into action.
• NATO is experiencing a period of tremendous change. That is both in the broad historical context and in defining moments within the Alliance. The 2012 Summit in Chicago will allow our nations to take stock of our progress and shape the Alliance’s future to ensure the right military capabilities for the 21st century.
• The new Strategic Concept and Lisbon Summit Declaration called for strengthening and modernizing NATO’s military capabilities, while continuing to promote international stability. / NATO /

NATO: The ISAF Mission…

• Over the past year and a half, we have executed several major operations, demonstrating an impressive array of Alliance capabilities. Today, some 130,000 NATO personnel are operating in Afghanistan. The Balkans continue to have a “safe and secure environment” due in part to the presence of 6,000 NATO troops. Piracy attack success rates have been cut in half compared with previous years. And we continue to support ‘smart defence’ via missile defence, Baltic air policing, and other operational initiatives. All of this reflects our work bringing the strategic concept to life.
• The ISAF mission in Afghanistan remains our most significant operational commitment. Last year we began to transition security to Afghan authority and continue to train thousands of police and military personnel. Transition continues to rely upon increased Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) capabilities. / NATO /

NATO / Libya: Maintaining A No-Fly Zone…

• Although challenges remain and continued commitment by the international community will be required, we have seen tremendous advances.
• Elsewhere, the Arab Spring and rapid escalation of violence against innocent civilians in Libya took many by surprise.
• NATO Allies responded quickly. They led an unprecedented coalition of contributors from March 24 to October 31, 2011, enforcing an arms embargo by air and sea, maintaining a no-fly-zone, and undertaking specific operations to protect civilians and civilian populated areas. In all, 14 NATO members and four partner countries provided naval and air forces for NATO’s three missions. The long-standing political-military relationships developed through Alliance operations, exercises, and partnerships helped the quick, coordinated start of operations with unprecedented speed.
• This proved the value of the so-called “comprehensive approach”. We saw civilian advisors coordinate with nongovernmental organizations and other international actors in crisis management. And this enabled us to better develop this capability as we restructure. / NATO /

NATO: Prevention Is Better Than Cure…

• But prevention is better than cure. Our goal is to prevent crisis through “horizon scanning” for emerging threats. Our Comprehensive Crisis Management Centre (CCOMC) structure at SHAPE is part of how we plan to do so. Its dedicated integration approach of political, civilian, international and military capabilities will also enhance cooperative security in areas including missile defence and cyber defence. / NATO /

• The strategic environment continues to evolve at a rapid pace. A lot has happened since our last Summit and the Alliance has been busy. Global operations and engagement prove NATO’s continued relevance and increased effectiveness as a mature Alliance. NATO is working as it was designed to do, with our allies and partners sharing the burdens and responsibilities of operational missions. / NATO /

• But a key challenge facing us today is to maintain our ability to face threats as they emerge and evolve – often unpredictably – with a smarter and more precise application of our instruments. The Summit in Chicago is an opportunity to progress towards this end. But also to further develop and operationalise the concepts of the strategic concept. In doing so, NATO will remain the cornerstone of collective defence and a force for good in the world. / NATO /

Boeing Delivered The United Kingdom’s Eighth C-17 Globemaster III… / NATO

• Boeing delivered the United Kingdom’s eighth C-17 Globemaster III to the Royal Air Force (RAF)  during a ceremony at the company’s final assembly facility in Long Beach.
• “I’m honored and delighted to deliver the Royal Air Force’s newest C-17 to join the fleet at Number 99 Squadron, where our seven C-17s are in constant demand flying missions in support of Defence and other government agencies’ requirements,” said RAF Wing Cmdr. David Manning, Officer Commanding 99 Squadron. “It’s a great feeling to know that we have the capability to deliver crucial supplies to the front lines with little notice, or to transport injured troops home with a better chance of survival because of the capability and flexibility of the C-17. This newest C-17 will be a welcome addition to the Air Force fleet.” / NATO /

The RAF C-17s… / NATO

• The RAF C-17s are operated by 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton. The first RAF C-17s entered service in 2001 and have surpassed 74,000 flight hours — 15 percent above the projected rate. The UK Ministry of Defence, citing ongoing demand, ordered additional airlifters for delivery in 2008 and 2010 and contracted for its eighth C-17 in March.
• “RAF C-17s are ever-present when there’s a need for humanitarian relief or peacekeeping around the world,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift vice president and C-17 program manager. “We’re proud to support the Royal Air Force in providing for the mobility needs of their great nation, and we are grateful for the partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence and U.S. Air Force that made this delivery possible in such a short time.”
• “The RAF fleet’s airlift capacity, increased by this latest delivery, is backed by a comprehensive sustainment services program,” said Boeing Defence UK Managing Director Mike Kurth. “As part of the worldwide C-17 ‘virtual fleet,’ RAF C-17s are supported through the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP), a Performance-Based Logistics agreement. The support provided to the RAF under the GISP arrangement results in an excellent mission-capable rate at one of the lowest costs per flying hour.”
• Boeing has delivered 242 C-17s worldwide, including 216 to the U.S. Air Force active duty, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 26 C-17s have been delivered to Australia, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. India has 10 C-17s on order for delivery in 2013 and 2014. / NATO /