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Nov 15 2024

NCIA Chief of Air Command and Control participates in Air and Missile Defence Technology Conference

On 14 November 2024, John Booth, NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) Chief of Air Command and Control (AirC2), participated in the 8th edition of the Air and Missile Defence Technology Conference in London, United Kingdom. The conference brought together senior officers, military and industry representatives to discuss the latest Air and Missile Defence technological solutions, integration and innovations.

During his presentation titled “Enabling Command and Control of Air Operations across NATO Airspace to Ensure Effective Air and Missile Defence”, Booth discussed the need for interoperability and integration of air defence systems and capabilities to improve readiness and preparedness of the NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence.

He addressed the challenges and significant opportunities posed by an increasingly federated environment, and the need for standardization and testing.

“The Air and Missile Defence Technology conference allowed me to brief a wide range of industry and military personnel on the particular challenges in NATO AirC2 and more broadly on the NCIA portfolio of services. The conference allowed for some very rich and open discussions around all aspects of air and missile defence,” assured Booth.

NCIA supports the integration of AirC2 capabilities to help preserve the integrity of NATO European airspace, providing the technology that enables the effective management of air and missile defence operations between NATO and its Member Nations.

John Booth, a former Senior Officer in the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF), joined the NCIA on 1 August 2024 as Chief of the AirC2 Centre. Prior to that he enjoyed a distinguished military career which culminated in his appointment as the first ever Commander of the Force responsible for tactical AirC2 for both UK and NATO Air Security and Air Defence missions. The Command encompassed the RAF's Tactical Control level AirC2 System (including radars, radios and tactical data links), area air traffic control & battlespace management capability integration.