Command Component Air Ramstein
The Command Ramstein Air Component (CC- Air) was the headquarters of NATO Allied Air Forces in Europe.
Earlier Bezeichnungn
Previous names were AAFCE or AIRCENT and stood for Allied Air Forces Central Europe.
Tasks
The tasks of AAFCE included the planning and execution of air operations in the Central European airspace.
In alliance case, her most Administratively assigned national units would have been assumed on command and command level According to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, and in the context of collective self-defense. This should be a cohesive air defense would be created against the air forces of the Warsaw Pact.
History
The headquarters was first established on 20 August 1953 in Fontainebleau, but then disbanded after France's withdrawal from the military part of NATO on 1 March 1967.
On 28 June 1974 the headquarters at Ramstein Air Base has been newly created and the Allied Forces Central Europe assumed. As part of the adaptation of NATO's command structure this HQ was renamed Allied Air Forces Central Europe AIRCENT.
Units
The AAFCE were under from 2 April 1952, the 2nd and the 4th Allied Tactical Air Force ( ATAF ), headquartered in Rheindahlen and Heidelberg.
2nd Allied Tactical Air Force
The 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force was a multi-national association of air forces of the Netherlands, Belgium, the USA and the UK. The association was founded in 1958 and went into the AIRCENT on June 30, 1993. The commander of the 2nd ATAF was always at the same time the commander of RAF Germany. The headquarters was located in JHQ Rheindahlen.
The main points were in Belgium:
- Florennes
- Hlein - Brogel
- Melsbroek
In the Netherlands:
- Soesterberg
- Leeuwarden
- RAF Bruggen
In Germany:
- RAF Geilenkirchen
- RAF Laarbruch
- RAF Noervenich
- RAF Wildenrath
4th Allied Tactical Air Force
The 4th Allied Tactical Air Force was a multi-national association of air forces of the U.S., Canada and Germany. The association was founded in 1958 and went into the AIRCENT on June 30, 1993. The headquarters was located at the Ramstein Air Base.
The their subordinate units were the first German Air Division in Furstenfeldbruck, the German 2nd Air Division in Birkenfeld and the U.S. Third Air Force.
Main bases were for the U.S. Air Force:
- Ramstein
- Spangdahlem
- Sembach
For the Royal Canadian Air Force / Canadian Forces Air Command:
- Two bridges
- Lahr airport
- Baden- Soellingen
As well as the airfields of the German Luftwaffe in Baden -Württemberg and Bavaria:
- Fürstenfeldbruck
- Memmingen
- Mix