Norway to Host NATO's Third Combined Air Operations Centre

February 2025

In a significant development for NATO's military strategy, Norway has been appointed to host the alliance's third Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC). This decision was revealed in February 2025 and marks a pivotal moment for the defense architecture of the Nordic region and Northern Europe. Currently, NATO operates two other regional air operations centers located in Uedem, Germany, and Torrejón, Spain. These centers are essential for planning, coordinating, and supporting air operations in times of peace, crisis, and conflict.

Potential Locations Under Consideration

According to recent discussions, Bodø in Northern Norway and Rygge in Eastern Norway are the front-runners for the establishment of the CAOC. The newly appointed Norwegian Minister of Defense, Tore O. Sandvik, visited both locations last week to assess their suitability for the center. The choice of location has been a point of contention, with various stakeholders discussing the implications for NATO’s operational needs, security, housing, transport options, and educational facilities for families.

Professor Håkon Lunde Saxi of the Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the location itself. He notes that a broader military command structure is forming in the region, which includes the inclusion of all Nordic countries under NATO's Joint Force Command Norfolk based in the United States.

"This is a historical military strategic gathering of the Nordic countries under a joint command structure," Saxi stated, underscoring the significance of this development for regional defense.

Strategic Importance of Regional Coordination

Norway will oversee the regional air operations headquarters, which will link closely with Allied Air Command in Germany. Finland will establish a NATO Forward Land Force, while Sweden will create a logistics command for the Nordics. Additionally, a command for special forces will be co-led by Denmark and Norway.

Saxi argues that the most critical aspect of this development is how it will enhance coordination of military efforts throughout the Nordic region, ensuring a more cohesive defense strategy among NATO allies. He highlighted the necessity of integrating NATO's capabilities into Norway's defense framework, a theme that has received less attention in public discourse.

Benefits and Considerations for Location

When evaluating Bodø and Rygge, several factors come into play. Bodø's military infrastructure includes mountain facilities capable of housing the CAOC, along with established professional air control environments and proximity to the Norwegian Joint Headquarters. Supporters argue that placing the center in Bodø would bolster security policy and military presence in the northern region.

Conversely, Rygge offers logistical advantages such as its central location in Eastern Norway, close to Oslo, enhancing job market opportunities and travel connections.

Paal Sigurd Hilde, a professor at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, reinforces that the operational significance of the center’s location may not have much impact. "Those who work there control operations through systems on computers," he explained, referencing the functions of military headquarters like the U.S. headquarters in Florida, which directs operations thousands of miles away.

Community Perspectives

Local perspectives also play a crucial role in the location debate. Bodø Mayor Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen has asserted that having the CAOC in the North would strengthen Norway's security posture by increasing NATO's physical presence in the region. He views this as an opportunity for economic growth and job creation.

Sandvik, during his visit to both cities, acknowledged that both locations possess the necessary attributes to support the CAOC. "The most important aspect is to make the center work, and I believe both places will be capable of that," he stated. He clarified that a thorough assessment of the construction timeline and operational capability will inform the final decision.

The Norwegian government plans to continue discussions with NATO until a final decision on the CAOC's location is reached in the coming summer.

Understanding NATO's Military Structure

NATO's military command operates from Belgium, with three joint operational headquarters across Europe, situated in Brunssum, Naples, and Norfolk. This organizational framework is currently expanding to incorporate Nordic nations under the Norfolk command, marking a strategic alignment of military capabilities in the Atlantic and the High North.

As discussions continue, Norway's commitment to hosting the CAOC underscores its role in strengthening NATO's defense posture in the region and improving multilateral military cooperation.