Seventeen E-3A aircraft are assigned to the Component. Normally, only a portion of the E-3As are at NATO Air Base, Geilenkirchen at any given time, with the remainder deployed to the Component’s forward operating bases in Aktion, Greece; Trapani, Italy; and Konya, Turkey; and its forward operating location at Ørland, Norway; or other allied airfields. Each of the forward facilities are located on a national installation, although the Component has about 20 personnel at each site. Although they are NATO personnel assigned to the Component, all of them are from the respective host nation. Our Forward Operating Bases/Location are as follows:

Aktion was formally activated in April 1987
and was known as
FOB Preveza until January 1995.

Forward Operating Base (FOB) Aktion is located near the picturesque town of Preveza.
The FOB Aktion supports NATO operations.
The weather is generally fair with hot summers and mild winters. The people are very friendly and hospitable. The surrounding area has magnificent small islands and beautiful beaches. The facilities are one of the best and everyone is sure to have a great work environment and an opportunity to relax while staying at FOB Aktion.

Forward operating Base Trapani, Sicily is located inside the host military base 37th Wing Trapani.
The scenery surrounding the FOB is green and displays places typical of the marvelous western part of Sicily. This beautiful landscape is best enjoyed as the perfect background for a daily jogging run during your private time.
FOB Trapani is known for its sunny and warm climate, paired with the Italian way of life, it completes the picture, making it a place worthy of mentioning.
In September 1997, FOB Trapani personnel deployed to FOL Oerland to support the NATO Air Meet, establishing a new way of seeing things by both nations. This resulted in the birth of a new highly integrated maintenance team; joining the experiences of north and south; the exercise was a success.

Trapani was activated in January 1986.

Konya was activated in October 1983.

Forward Operating Base Konya is located in the middle of the vast plains of Anatolia. Konya is a historical city dating back to 8000 BC.
Today, there exists outstanding cooperation and understanding with the 3rd Main Jet Base of TUAF, which gladly houses FOB Konya in its perimeter. The base provides a leading national and international training environment with immense activity, including the Anatolian Eagle Exercise facilities, Turkish Stars Aerobatics Squadron and other flying units operating the F-16, F-4, F-5 fighter aircraft and Cougar SAR helicopters.
Some 10000 plus successful sorties have been flown since the maiden flight on October 25th 1983. FOB Konya has proved to be a qualified, reliable FOB with high standards, in times of peace and crisis.

Forward Operating Location (FOL) Ørland was established in 1983. It’s situated on the coast, more or less in the middle of Norway. It is an integrated part of the NATO E-3A Component but all personnel are Norwegian. Our Host Base is Main Air Station Ørland, which is the home of the 138 Air Wing. The 138 Air Wing consists of one Fighter Squadron using the F-16, Fighting Falcon, one Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) Unit, using the Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) and one Force Protection Unit, earmarked to support any international operations that the Royal Norwegian Air Force may take part in. In addition the Norwegian Defense Logistics Organization (NDLO) has a big unit on base supporting all units including the FOL. There is also a detachment of Sea King Helicopters performing Search and Rescue.
Ørland is known for it's nice surroundings with an ever-changing weather. (We have only four seasons but sometimes it seems like they can all occur on the same day).

Ørland was activated in November 1983.