CONFIDENTIAL
THE NATO AREA
OPERATIONS
3RD DRAFT
Command and Control
44. A re-organisation of the arrangements for the command and
control of all NATO air forces in the Central Region has improved
flexibility in the use of NATO's air forces. A new headquarters,
manned from the staffs of existing formations in the Central Region,
is being set up to enable SACEUR to make more efficient use of
his air resources throughout the region.
Commander-in-Chief United Kingdom Air Forces
45. The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Strike Command, with
effect from 1 February 1975, has been appointed a NATO Wajor
Subordinate Commander with the title of Commander-in-Chief United
Kingdom Air Forces (CINCUKAIR). This appointment
extends his previous responsibilities as
Commander United Kingdom Air Defence Region, a title which now
lapses. It places the AOC-in-C at a more effective level in the
NATO chain of command and will enable him, with his national
responsibilities, more effectively to task all of the United
Kingdom's military air resources in support of NATO. This change
is particularly important in view of the geographical position of
the United Kingdom between NATO's European and Atlantic areas of
responsibility.
Surveillance and Interception
46. Ships of the Fleet and Royal Naval aircraft, together with
Royal Air Force Nimrod and Vulcan aircraft, have continued to
ITI
CONFIDENTIAL
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