NATO Planes Return Home After Patrolling U.S. Skies
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GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany — The crews of seven NATO planes returned home Thursday after months of helping patrol the U.S. East Coast following the Sept. 11 attacks--the first time foreigners have helped protect U.S. skies.
“Welcome home, welcome back and many, many thanks,” NATO Secretary-General George Robertson told the crews of the early-warning aircraft that arrived back at the base.
Seven AWACS--Airborne Warning and Control System--aircraft with crews from 13 of NATO’s European members were deployed to the U.S. in early October to help monitor airspace after the terrorist attacks.
It marked the first time that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization deployed over the continental United States to support an operation there.
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