Allied Air Command | Spanish Joint Force Air Component controls Allied air operations

TORREJÓN, Spain – At the end of September, the Spanish Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) took over the command and control of Allied air operations from the Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) at Ramstein enabling AIRCOM staff to prepare for and participate in the major NATO exercise Steadfast Duel 2024.

The use of those national air command structures gives NATO’s Air and Space Power a comprehensive resilience and can both flexibly handle critical training requirements and provide sustained command and control for ongoing air operations

For two months, AIRCOM – which is part of the NATO Command Structure – delegates their role to the air command and control experts from the NATO Force Structure. This delegation of responsibilities to the Spanish JFAC comprises planning, coordinating and commanding the delivery of NATO Air Power across the full spectrum of joint operations.

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The Spanish JFAC was certified during exercise Steadfast Jackal 2023 to assume NRF Air Component responsibilities in the first semester of 2024. Its staff are assuring the transition to the new NATO Force Model including the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) and will remain in charge until the end of June of 2025.

The Spanish JFAC was certified during exercise Steadfast Jackal 2023 to assume NATO Response Force Air Component responsibilities in the first semester of 2024. Its staff are assuring the transition to the new NATO Force Model including the Allied Reaction Force and will remain in charge until the end of June of 2025. At the moment, the Spanish JFAC has command and control over NATO Air Power operations as the default JFAC at Ramstein is participating in NATO-wide major exercise Steadfast Duel. Photos courtesy Spanish JFAC (2x), Arnaud Chamberlin and Christian Timmig.

“In NATO, a JFAC plans, coordinates, executes and controls combined and joint operations that support NATO deterrence and defence missions protecting Allied populations,” said Lieutenant General Juan Pablo Sanchez De Lara, commander of the Alliance’s southern Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) also located in Torrejón. “My team at the CAOC oversees NATO’s standing 24/7 Air Policing mission in the south safeguarding NATO airspace. The JFAC is manned with air experts who plan, coordinate and control Allied air operations involving thousands of sorties of Allied fighters, tankers, transport, intelligence and surveillance and airborne control aircraft providing NATO Air Power for collective deterrence and defence for the Alliance.

The NATO Command Structure JFAC is located at AIRCOM in Ramstein as the default JFAC. Besides Spain, six other nations (Germany, France, Italy, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) have established NATO Force Structure JFACs that are trained and stood up to serve as a command and control unit for the Allied Reaction Force or to take over from the AIRCOM if needed. 

“The use of those national air command structures gives NATO’s Air and Space Power a comprehensive resilience and can both flexibly handle critical training requirements and provide sustained command and control for ongoing air operations,” General Sanchez De Lara added underscoring that “thanks to the Spanish JFAC, NATO Air Power simply continued its work commanding and controlling Allied Air Forces, which is essential to NATO’s long-term.