The opening ceremony was attended by senior leaders from NATO, Norway, Finland and Sweden, and marked the formal transfer of command to Norwegian Major General Tron Strand. “The mission task and our area of responsibility will continue to increase as the organization matures and grows,” said Strand. “CAOC Bodø will provide the necessary contributions to the future CAOC model. We will contribute credible deterrence for the Alliance, and we will be ready to fight if necessary.”
CAOC Bodø will initially oversee the Norwegian Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission, a role Norway has upheld since 1961. Norwegian and Allied pilots operating F-35 Lightning II fighters will continue this legacy of protecting NATO airspace, which began with the F-86 Sabre.
The new centre brings enhanced redundancy and resilience to NATO’s air command structure, improving situational awareness and allowing dispersed air operations from multiple locations. “Today, we inaugurate a critical and pivotal Command and Control node for further securing NATO Airspace,” said Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Acting Commander of NATO Allied Air Command. “NATO is supremely grateful to the Norwegians for hosting this enhanced C2 capability in the High North.”
The activation of CAOC Bodø reflects NATO’s shift toward dispersed multi-domain operations across its 32-member nations, which collectively span nearly 25 million square kilometres. This approach supports flexibility and rapid response in any contingency, a key part of NATO’s strategy for deterrence and defence.
The centre will gradually take on more missions and capabilities as it becomes fully operational, while working closely with the other CAOCs to ensure seamless coordination. Its operations will also support Joint Force Command Norfolk, NATO’s newest operational command, which is responsible for the largest geographical area in the Alliance, from Florida to Finland.
Vice Admiral Doug Perry, Commander of Joint Force Command Norfolk, praised the new centre during the event. “The opening of this CAOC marks a new milestone in demonstrating NATO’s preparedness and unity,” he said. “Alongside Norway and AIRCOM, our collective planning, integration, and readiness will continue to evolve and contribute to stability and security across Europe, the Atlantic, High North and Arctic. I am grateful to Norway for their earnest and deliberate efforts in pursuing this important capability.”
The inauguration included speeches from NATO and national leaders, music by the Royal Norwegian Air Force Orchestra, and a flyover of a Norwegian F-35A Lightning II. The ceremony concluded with a flag-raising and a tour of the CAOC facility for invited guests.
Source: Allied Air Command (press release).
