In recent days, we have witnessed several aerial refuelling missions to NATO Boeing E-3As from Luxembourg or Turkey.
Also this morning, an E-3A (reg. LX-N90443 – callsign MAGIC11) operating over eastern Romania was refuelled by a USAF Boeing KC-135R (reg. 58-0071).
Probably to limit this need, NATO prepares a deployment Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes to Bucharest, Romania.
The aircraft are scheduled to arrive on January 17, 2023 and are going to support the Alliance’s reinforced presence in the region and monitor Russian military activity.
In response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, NATO has increased its air presence in eastern Europe with additional fighters, surveillance aircraft, and tankers. Since February 2022, NATO AWACS have conducted regular patrols over eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea region to track Russian warplanes near NATO borders.
The NATO AWACS will start reconnaissance flights, solely over Alliance territory, in the coming days. The mission is scheduled to last several weeks. The aircraft belong to a fleet of 14 NATO surveillance aircraft usually based in Geilenkirchen, Germany. Around 180 military personnel will deploy the Romanian Air Force base at Otopeni near Bucharest in support of the aircraft.