NATO: Coalition Contributions to the War on Terrorism
On September 12, 2001, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) met in emergency session and, for the first time in its history, invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, which states that an attack against one is an attack against all. Our Allies have delivered on that obligation with concrete actions, both individually and collectively:
- All 19 NATO Allies and the 9 NATO "aspirants" have provided blanket overflight rights, ports/bases access, refueling assistance, and increased law-enforcement cooperation. NATO AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) crews logged over 3,000 hours patrolling and protecting American skies while U.S. planes were called to Afghanistan.
- 16 Allies now support Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan and the global campaign against terrorism, Operation Noble Eagle. 14 Allies have deployed forces in the region. 9 Allies are participating in combat operations.
- Allies and other partner countries have deployed nearly 4,000 troops to Afghanistan and also provide 95% of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), led first by the United Kingdom and now by Turkey.
Belgium:
- Led the largest multinational humanitarian assistance mission to Afghanistan from October 6-29, 2001, providing 90 metric tons of a food supplements.
- Contributed four aircrews for NATO AWACS to assist in U.S. homeland security efforts at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, OK.
- Provided liaison officers, analysts, and communication specialists to U.S. military efforts.
Canada:
- Special Operations Forces are currently operating in Afghanistan supporting multiple missions.
- Light Infantry Battle Group with 830 personnel completed many security and combat operations.
- Navy making substantial contribution to our Arabian Sea interdiction efforts; completed over half undertaken so far.
Czech Republic:
- Deployed its 6th Field Hospital to Bagram, Afghanistan, to provide medical support to ISAF.
- Providing a transport aircraft to support NATO AWACS; transported 733 persons and 11 tons of cargo in 46 flights.
- Stationed its Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Weapons decontamination/detection unit in Kuwait.
Denmark:
- Deployed 100 Special Operations Forces personnel to Afghanistan as part of a unit under U.S. command.
- Provided one C-130 aircraft and a contingent of ground support personnel in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, for in-theater transportation.
- Six F-16 aircraft deployed to Manas in October 2002.
France:
- Deployed an infantry company to Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan to provide area security.
- Provided France's only carrier battle group to support combat operations in the North Arabian Sea.
- Provided humanitarian assistance, and national and coalition airlift support in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
- Deployed marines, army mountain forces, land-based strike aircraft, and a carrier battle group to assist OEF; after the U.S., in 2002, France has been the single largest military contributor.
Germany:
- For the first time in more than fifty years, deployed combat ships and maritime aircraft for operations outside Europe.
- Lead country in establishing and training the Afghan police force; Special Operations forces presently are conducting missions in Afghanistan.
- German-led contingent of 1,300 soldiers (including 200 Dutch personnel) commands Multi-National Brigade with responsibility for Kabul.
Greece:
- Conducting operations, under the control of the Coalition Forces Maritime Component Commander, with the 210 crewmember frigate Psara, an Aegean Hawk helicopter, and a Special Forces team.
- Deployed C-130 transport aircraft, one engineer company, and staff officers to Afghanistan.
- Providing naval and air bases in Crete as logistics sites.
- Contributed aircrews for NATO AWACS providing security flights over the U.S.
Hungary:
- Expanded counterterrorism training at International Law Enforcement Academy in Budapest.
- Provided 6 battalions worth of equipment to Afghan National Army, including small arms, ammunition, coats, and mess kits.
Italy:
- Deployed 440 military personnel to ISAF.
- Supporting combat operations in the North Arabian Sea with own carrier battle group. Deployed more than 13% of its entire naval forces to OEF in Afghanistan.
- Transported more than 17,000 lbs. of supplies and equipment to Pakistan.
- Deploying 1,000 Alpini, their elite ground troops.
Netherlands:
- Operating two naval frigates in Persian Gulf area.
- Deployed 495 personnel, including 224 military personnel, in Afghanistan with ISAF.
- Six F-16 aircraft deployed to Manas in October 2002.
Norway:
- 10 mine-clearing vehicles and personnel cleared more than 750,000 square yards on Qandahar and Bagram airfields.
- Special Operations Forces have conducted operations in Afghanistan. Contributed to NATO AWACS over U.S.
- Six F-16 aircraft deployed to Manas in October 2002.
Poland:
- Combat engineers and logistics platoon forces in Bagram have assisted in construction and fortification, and provided logistical support.
- Cleared more than 4,000 square yards of mines.
- Assisting in maritime operations related to OEF.
Portugal:
- Deployed one eight-person medical team to ISAF.
- Provided blanket overflight and landing rights at Laja Air Base.
Spain:
- 350 soldiers participating in the ISAF.
- Maintained 50-person hospital at Bagram until September 2002 to treat soldiers and civilians.
- 400 additional military personnel involved in: international task force monitoring and patrolling air and sea off the Horn of Africa for potential terrorist activity; and maintaining one Hercules airplane and two helicopters in Kyrgyzstan for search and rescue.
Turkey:
- ISAF lead nation (since June 20, 2002), providing 1,400 troops. Tour concludes in December 2002.
- Special Forces liaison officer detailed to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan.
- Five Turkish ships participating in NATO counterterrorism operations in the Mediterranean.
United Kingdom:
- Provided unconditional diplomatic support and military assistance following September 11th: Launched cruise missiles, inserted Special Forces, contributed thousands of soldiers to toppling the Taliban, provided aerial and naval support, and opened key U.K. bases to support U.S. operations.
- Deployed the largest naval task force to OEF since deployments during the Gulf War.
- From January-July 2002, led ISAF with over 4,000 personnel; supporting current Turkish lead with nearly 500 soldiers.
- British Commodore Fanshawe serves as Deputy Combined Joint Force, Maritime Component.
- Providing aerial refueling and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support. Military staff attached to major U.S. component commands.
Contributions by NATO's Candidate Countries to the War on Terrorism
Albania:
- Provided elite commando detachment under Turkish command to ISAF.
- Donated small arms and ammunition, as well as mortars and shells, to equip one battalion of the Afghan National Army.
Bulgaria:
- Provided a nuclear, biological, and chemical decontamination unit to Afghanistan as part of ISAF.
- Hosted the deployment of six U.S. KC-135 aircraft and 200 support personnel at Burgas, the first stationing of foreign forces in Bulgaria since WWII.
- Donated and airlifted arms and ammunition to the Afghan National Army.
Estonia:
- Deployed two explosive detection dog teams for airbase operations in Afghanistan.
Latvia:
- Granted U.S. blanket overflight clearance.
Lithuania:
- Provided doctors to a Czech medical unit in ISAF.
- Approved the deployment of 40 Special Operations forces to support US troops as part of OEF.
Macedonia:
- Two Macedonian officers seconded to a Turkish unit in ISAF. Taken measures to prevent attacks against U.S. service personnel in Macedonia and Kosovo.
Romania:
- Deployed a motorized infantry battalion of 450 soldiers in Afghanistan, extended until July 2003.
- Deployed a military police platoon of 58 soldiers and two C-130 transport aircraft.
- Donated 1,000 assault rifles and 300,000 rounds of ammunition to the Afghan National Army.
Slovakia:
- Deployed a unit of engineers in Afghanistan.
- Granted overflight, landing, and refueling rights.
Slovenia:
- Donated over 80 metric tons of arms and ammunition for equipping and training the Afghan National Army.
- Providing demining and mine victims assistance.
Released on November 12, 2002
Existing Defense Agreement
Important Clarifications
