NATO's New Air Operations Center Opened: Officially Part of the Alliance's Command

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NATO's third regional air operations center, CAOC Bodø, officially opened at the Norwegian Armed Forces' base in Bodø, Northern Norway, on Friday.

The official opening ceremony hosted NATO officials and senior leaders from home and abroad, with speeches from figures such as the JFC Norfolk Commander, Vice Admiral Doug Perry; Deputy Commander of NATO's Allied Air Command, Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, and the Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik (Labor).

As HNN has previously reported, the center has had a rapid build-up after its location was revealed in May. 

On October 1st, CAOC Bodø was operational.

"We have worked very hard over the course of three months to get everything in place concerning both infrastructure and computer systems. Much has been done in a short amount of time. Having now become operational and established feels very good," says the Commander of the new Combined Air Operations Center, Major General Tron Strand, to High North News.

Officially part of NATOs Command

This will be the Alliance's third regional air operations center, and the center will be particularly responsible for NATO's northwest region. The other air operations centers are located in Spain and Germany.

As the NATO flag was hoisted outside the Bodø CAOC, the command of the air operation center was transferred to NATO, more specifically, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and Allied Air Command (Aircom).

Shortly, the new air operations center will also be participating in the major NATO exercise Steadfast Duel, says Strand.

Steadfast Duel 25 will strengthen NATO's deterrence and defense across all domains, and is the first exercise to simultaneously train NATO's three Joint Force Commands: JFC Brunssum, JFC Naples, and JFC Norfolk, writes NATO's Joint Warfare Centre.

"The exercise is organized as a simulated computer exercise and will test NATO's plans, the CAOC commander continues.

Monitors 30,000 air movements

The regional air operations centers plan, control, coordinate, monitor, and support air operations in times of peace, crisis and conflict.

Although CAOC Bodø will have particular responsibility for the command and control of the airspace in the Nordic region and the High North, it will also be able to conduct missions for NATO in the entire area of ​​responsibility of the alliance.

"With this new air operations center, we are strengthening our ability to safeguard allied airspace, to detect threats early and to respond decisively," stated Air Marshal Johnny Stringer during his speech in Bodø. Stringer is the Deputy Commander of NATO's Allied Air Command, located at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

"Combined air operations centres cover NATO's entire European airspace. Our sensors feed into the centers' air pictures, allowing them to monitor approximately 30,000 air movements in European airspace, NATO airspace every day. They contribute to our regional security and reduce risks to civilian aviation," he added.

Will be 'different'

In his speech at the opening, the CAOC Bodø Commander Strand pointed out that NATO's Air Command has given the center the task of being 'different.'

"This is, among other things, about how the air operations centers that the alliance has today were built in and for a different time. Today, the threats are bigger and geopolitics are changing. NATO wants a headquarters that is different. And we are different – designed to lead the way in the development that is necessary within air command and control in NATO," Strand elaborates to HNN.

"CAOC Bodø is of great significance and will be a very important piece within leadership and development of NATO's overall capacities. It is an exciting mission up here. There is a driving force for new opportunities here, to see how we can become even better," Major General Jonas Wikman expressed to High North News.

"Active Swedish contribution"

The Swedish Air Force Chief also highlights that Sweden aims to actively and ambitiously contribute to the new center. A Swedish contribution is already in place within the framework of the Nordic cooperation.

The Nordic division was established in January this year and was part of the Norwegian Joint Air Operations Center (JAOC) at Reitan outside of Bodø.

"Sweden is definitely very willing to support the build-up and the future development of this center. A number of positions are to be staffed going forward, and we will contribute as much as possible on our part by recruiting from our personnel. In the future, we envision that this can be a natural part of the career path for personell in our own air force, Wikman said.

He furthermore notes that the CAOC can both strengthen Sweden and Finland's NATO integration process, while also strengthening the Nordic region as a whole.

"At the same time, it is important to note that this is not just about this region. We are to be able to lead air operations in other places within NATO's operational area," Wikman added.

Expects allied contributions in 2026

After the official opening, the next phase awaits CAOC Bodø, which includes strengthening facilities and infrastructure to support incoming personnel and their families.

What does the future look like in terms of new allied personnel, Strand?

"The process of getting allied personnel into positions in Bodø will start as early as November, and we expect them to start arriving in the course of 2026. Many countries have already made it clear that they want to send personnel to the air operations center here in Bodø," said the CAOC commander.

The Norwegian government has previously stated that between 200 and 450 people will likely work at the center, counting Norwegians and employees from other NATO-countries.

"We are now at initial operational capacity, and the plan is to be fully operational in two years. A lot of work lies ahead of us, but I am confident that we will achieve that goal," he concluded.