The first NATO E-3A was delivered in January 1982. Presently has NAEW&CF in duty 17 E-3A´s from originally purchased 18 planes (one E-3A was lost during take off after birdstrike 14. 7. 1996 at Aktion AB, Greece).
One of 17 E-3A´s assigned to NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force (NAEW&CF) is arriving on static display during CIAF 2006. Home base this AWACS is Geilenkirchen.
To celebrate 50 years of NATO, this Sentry received a very good looking paint job. This plane was built in 1980 and eventually delivered to the NATO on 22nd January 1982. (scan from print)