NATO's 'magic eye' patrols 8 hours monitoring the Syrian battlefield

"We have the ability to detect any flying object, then process the information, display it on the screen and send the data back to the ground,"Lieutenant Colonel Christina Vile, commander of NATO's 1st Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron (AWACS), said. This is the unit responsible for airspace management and coordinating operations of US and allied air forces in Syria, according toNBC.

The 1st AWACS Squadron operates the E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft, known as NATO's "eye plane" in the Middle East. This aircraft is developed from the fuselage of a Boeing 707 passenger plane, and is notable for its large radar dish on its back.

Monitoring Syrian airspace is a secret operation, but reportersNBCwere allowed to board an E-3 Sentry for an eight-hour patrol along the Syrian border.

After takeoff, the E-3 maintained a continuous figure-8 trajectory over Turkish airspace. The AN/APY-1 and AN/APY-2 passive electronically scanned array (PESA) radars can detect low-flying targets from a distance of 400 km, while aircraft operating at medium altitudes and above can be easily identified from 550 km.

In addition to a crew of four, each E-3 is staffed with 13-19 technical experts. Their mission is to monitor and coordinate fighter aircraft operations near the Iraq-Syria border, where the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) militants are still active in many areas.

In addition to coalition fighter jets, the E-3 also detected Russian attack aircraft operating in western Syria, which were out of range of ground radar systems. The presence of the Sentry series helps the US and coalition have a panoramic view of the Syrian battlefield, limiting collisions between aircraft from many countries in the country's airspace.

The E-3 fleet in Türkiye does not need escorts, as IS does not have anti-aircraft weapons that could threaten the aircraft. However, if war broke out with a country with a strong military potential, the Sentry would become a prime target for the enemy, forcing the US and its allies to deploy multiple layers of protection.

NBC reporters said the patrol went smoothly and there were no unexpected problems. After several hours of continuous flight, the E-3 landed at the airport in Konya, Türkiye. Ground technicians quickly inspected the aircraft to prepare for the next flight.