For over than three decades the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Air National Guard’s robust tanker community have maintained a continuous partnership to support aircrew training. Every year, Air Guard refueling wings from across the United States cycle through Geilenkirchen Air Base, also known as ‘GK.’

Contacting and Contracting

NATO realized, in an early stage, when it received the E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), that this also required arial refueling support. To be able to perform air-air Refueling with the E-3A, the air crews needed training, flawlessly performing aerial refueling requires a number of skills that have to be trained and maintained. The Air National Guard (ANG) was contracted by NATO, and because there was a mutual benefit the costs were shared. Unlike other countries or the private companies that  were competitors in the bidding process, the ANG reviewed the request and identified the training opportunity this would provide. At that time, it was difficult for the ANG to get overseas training missions. With the signed NATO contract, these training missions became possible