Progress in NATOs Deployable Air Command and Control Capability
21 Aug 2013
Within the transition to the new NATO Command Structure, significant results have been achieved for NATO's deployable Air Command and Control (AirC2) capability. Relocation of equipment, establishment of new facilities and the initial take-over of the first deployable Air Command and Control System (ACCS) entity will enable NATO to build up a flexible and deployable Air C2 capability.
The AirC2 transition began early in the new year when the Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC), stationed in Poggio Renatico, Italy, was activated. The facility hosts more than 200 NATO personnel. One of the DACCC pillars, the DARS, is designed to execute Air C2 tasks at tactical level in a Joint Operations Area. Transition training for the DARS personnel started last month in order to be operationally capable by mid 2014. DARS will be the first NATO Air C2 entity using the new ACCS software. |
|
The DACCC in Poggio Renatico, Italy - Photo courtesy of SHAPE DACCC
|
| After a successful Operational Test and Evaluation of ACCS at the DARS, recently conducted by SHAPE together with the NCI Agency, the software has now reached a maturity status that allows DACCC to conduct training and deployment exercises. Development of the final version of the software programme is continuing and is scheduled to be delivered to NATO's operational community early next year. The use of the ACCS software package will provide NATO and member Nations with an integrated and interoperable system for planning, tasking and execution to support all types of air operations.
"Over the years NATO and the Nations have been using several systems. Right now we are heading to one ACCS system which integrates NATO and National tactical AirC2 capabilities.” said Colonel Wilhelm Pestel, Branch Chief at SHAPE J3 Division Air C2 Programme Management Branch. |
|
Fighter controller giving guidance to pilots from inside the DARS Unit - Photo courtesy of the RNLAF
|
The DARS unit, which moved recently from The Netherlands to Italy, consists of operational and communication shelters, satellite terminals, radios, vehicles, containers and deployable support packages. In order to allow the DACCC establishment and the relocation of DARS, host nation Italy successfully completed NATO projects to the new DACCC home base, Poggio Renatico, by delivering new facilities such as temporary buildings, workshops, storages and platforms for the operational shelters.
"The build-up of the DARS as important part of the DACCC represents an important milestone within the establishment of deployable Air C2 capabilities. I am deeply impressed with how this new NATO entity, together with the NATO operational community, NATO Agencies and the Territorial Host Nation, achieved this important step forward. It represents an outstanding team work activity.” said R.Adm. Danilo Balzano, Assistant Chief of Staff J3 at SHAPE.
Story by: SHAPE Public Affairs Office
|