An absolute force enabler
For more than 75 years, NATO has been the cornerstone of transatlantic peace and stability. At the heart of that mission is the air domain — fast, flexible, and indispensable to deterrence and to defence.
On behalf of NATO Allied Air Command, it is my distinct honour to join everybody here today— the activation of NATO’s newest Combined Air Operations Centre. This facility represents not only bricks, and mortar, and technology, but also the enduring strengths of our Alliance and the commitment we share to collective security. And of course, all made flesh and energised by our people.
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to our Norwegian hosts and friends here and the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Not just for today’s event, but also for hosting this new and nascent NATO Airpower Command and Control capability that will enhance our ability to deter and defend every inch, or should that be centimetre, of NATO Airspace and territory.
Today, we inaugurate a critical and pivotal C2 node for further securing NATO Airspace. CAOC Bodø is an absolute force enabler for NATO AIRCOM. With this new CAOC, we are strengthening our ability to safeguard Allied airspace, to detect threats early, and to respond decisively.
Combined Air Operations Centres cover NATO’s entire European airspace and beyond. Our sensor posts are connected to feed into the Combined Air Ops Centres’ Recognized Air Picture, allowing them to monitor approximately 30,000 air movements in European airspace – NATO airspace – per day. They help secure our skies and reduce risks to both civilian aviation and regional security.
CAOC Bodø will act as a catalyst for transformation and modernisation of NATO’s air C2 structure and our processes
So CAOC Bodø will stand as a hub of vigilance, coordination and control. Here, the Alliance will integrate with national air forces, fusing data, and directing operations to protect nearly one billion citizens. It will be 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, ready to defend our skies. The addition of a third CAOC in NATO also advances AIRCOM’s modernization and innovation in its C2 structures. CAOC Bodø will act as a catalyst for transformation and modernisation of NATO’s air C2 structure and our processes. The current security context and any future fight will require us to execute dispersed operations, embedding redundancy in our C2, and a third CAOC is integral to that venture and vision.
Complex air operations across various locations, across NATO, require speed, flexibility, and adaptability. This is no less true for our C2 nodes, such as Bodø. Fortunately, with access to numerous bases and C2 assets, across nearly 25 million square kilometers of NATO territory, NATO possesses significant depth and redundancy.
CAOC Bodø will, when fully operational, ensure robust air C2 together with our two other NATO CAOCs—CAOC Uedem in Germany and CAOC Torrejon in Spain.
I also want to recognize the remarkable support of our host nation here. Your government, your Air Force, and your communities have been steadfast partners in bringing this new CAOC in Norway to life. NATO is supremely grateful to the Norwegians for hosting this enhanced C2 capability in the High North. You have also built and commissioned this outstanding facility in an exceptionally short time, with absolute professionalism, across Defence, government, national and local agencies, contractors, and the wonderful town and people of Bodø. You are an exemplar in and to NATO.
As we look ahead, we know the challenges we face are real. The security environment is more dynamic than at any time in recent history. But we also know this: NATO is united, NATO is ready, and NATO is strong. This Combined Air Operations Centre is a clear demonstration of that strength, unity and purpose.
