The multinational NATO E-3A Component is retiring the first of several AWACS aircraft from its fleet at Geilenkirchen AB, Germany, as part of a downsizing effort mandated by recent Alliance directives. “No one decisions stands out as the overarching reason for this reduction in force,” wrote E-3A Component Commander Maj Gen Andrew Mueller in a recent base newsletter. “Taken in combination, these decisions direct the reduction in both the size and capability of the E-3A Component,” he said. Current plans dictate cutting the 17-strong fleet to 14 aircraft by 2017, starting with the retirement of the first aircraft to Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., later this month, according to a June 8 Geilenkirchen release. NATO is upgrading the remaining E-3s with modern cockpits, avionics, and other improvements, which are slated for completion by 2018. The Alliance-owned fleet is routinely augmented by member assets—notably British and US E-3s—and NATO reductions could be partially offset by more members contributing. “Nations such as Turkey, Greece, and Italy, offer the potential to provide NATO a larger [AWACS] force in the future,” stated Mueller.
The U.S. thwarted a drone attack on U.S. forces at Al Asad air base in western Iraq on April 22, marking the first time that American troops have been targeted since February, U.S. officials said. “We can confirm it was an attack on Al Asad,” a defense official told Air & Space…