US calls on NATO to support AWACS aircraft to strike IS

(Baonghean.vn)- In recent days, US diplomats in Brussels (Belgium) have called on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to quickly deploy aircraft with the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) to support airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria and Iraq.

US Air Force Boeing E-3 AWACS aircraft. Photo: Reuters

These aircraft could be deployed on the battlefield as mobile command centers and control air operations for anti-IS coalition warplanes.

In case NATO approves this mission, German soldiers will also participate in NATO operations on AWACS aircraft, as German soldiers make up one-third of the crew on these aircraft.

The above proposal of the US will be discussed among the Defense Ministers of NATO countries.

However, the proposal is likely to face opposition from Germany, which has been accused of supporting coalition strikes by deploying Tornado reconnaissance aircraft to Syria and Iraq.

During his recent visit to Germany, US President Barack Obama called on NATO member states to participate more actively in the anti-IS campaign. Although most NATO member states have joined the anti-IS coalition, NATO itself has so far remained cautious in this fight./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)