NATO originally acquired 18 TF-33-powered Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS aircraft, starting in January 1982. All were (and remain) registered in Luxembourg (which is the reason for the registration LX-N90445 applied on the fin of this example, in addition to its service title applied behind the cheek ESM antennae), and are operated by Number 1, 2 and 3 Squadrons of NATO’s E-3 Component, based at Geilenkirchen. By 1999, 13 were upgraded to the standard illustrated here. During Operation Allied Force, several were forward deployed to Trapani (four), Preveza (two), and Aviano ABs. All were painted in overall Boeing Gray 707 (FS16515). Together with E-3 detachments from the British, French and US air forces, they played the crucial role in commanding and controlling the entire NATO effort over Yugoslavia. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)