In December 1978, a small number of NATO nations joined together to establish this Early Warning and Control Program. This multinational force was created to provide an airborne surveillance warning and control capability that could immediately support NATO.

When the NATO E-3A Component commenced operations in 1982, twelve nations (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece. Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, and the United States) participated in the programme, providing financial support and personnel (Luxembourg does not contribute to organizational staffing).

In 1998, Spain joined the Component team, followed by Hungary in 2006, Poland in 2007, Romania in 2010 and the Czech Republic in 2011. Other NATO member nations have expressed interest to join the Component in the near future.

Multinational and multicultural make the NATO E-3A Component a rarity among military units worlds wide. Service members and civilian employees from over 15 supporting countries serve as a team to ensure Component’s mission is achieved around the clock.