In the location debate, Saxi highlights that the most important element is that the air operations center is in fact placed in Norway.
“We have a long history and tradition of connecting our allies to Norway, for example, through the establishment of headquarters,” he says and adds:
“With Sweden and Finland in NATO, we are no longer alone [on the Northern flank of NATO, ed. note], but the same still applies; we want to link important allies to us through the establishment of NATO headquarters, where high-level allied military chiefs and officers work, are present, have situational awareness and a relationship with the Norwegian territory.”
Would you say it would be significant if the center were placed in the High North?
“It likely won’t have any military strategic or operational significance, whether placed in Bodø or Rygge. The most important thing is that it is placed in Norway, or at least in the Nordics, and is manned by Nordic officers, as well as officers from other NATO countries. There could be several hundred,” continues Saxi.
“The location of the center must, therefore, reflect the requirements NATO places on Norway, that it must be possible for officers to get there, bring their families, that there are flight connections and international schools there,” he says. Regarding the latter point, the Bodø International School will open in fall 2025. There are international schools in the wider regional area of Rygge as well.
Professor Paal Sigurd Hilde at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies at the Norwegian Defence University College. (Photo: the Norwegian Defence University College)
Professor Paal Sigurd Hilde at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, at the Norwegian Defence University College is also clear that the center’s location is not significant on an operational level.
“Those who work there sit in the mountain and control operations on computers. Another example that illustrates this is the US headquarters in Tampa, Florida, which leads the air operations in the Middle East.”
Local significance
“At the same time, the regional matter is important in Norway for obvious reasons. What matters in terms of location is at the local level; such as jobs and activity. It also looks like the location part has been important for other allies in terms of how easy it is to get there and live there,” elaborates Hilde.
According to a partially redacted document, obtained by newspaper Aftenposten, Rygge is for instance highlighted by the Norwegian Air Force, based on the personnel dimension, both from a national and allied perspective, among other things.