RAF's Contribution To NATO AWACS
Back in the mid 1970s, the UK was originally in negotiation with NATO to be part of the NATO E-3 Force. However, there were several delays in getting agreement amongst the various contributing nations, especially Germany. As a consequence of these delays, Britain went down the road of the AEW Nimrod, with the agreement that this would be the UK's contribution to the NATO Force. The UK conveniently had surplus Nimrods to convert to the AEW role, as we were pulling a Nimrod Squadron out of Malta as part of the withdrawal from the island.
Not so long afterwards, Germany was able to sign up to the E-3 Project, and with the UK now committed to to the Nimrod Project, the Germans very kindly offered Geilenkirchen as a base for the E-3s. With the failure of the AEW Nimrod project, the UK government eventually went for the E-3D. The UK stuck with the original pledge, that the UK would still contribute towards the NATO Force, with the aircraft and UK crews based at Waddington.
All the nations that make up the NATO E-3 Force at Geilenkirchen make a financial contribution to the running of the base and provide the personnel. The aircraft at Geilenkirchen are owned by NATO, and registered in Luxembourg.
The UK completely funds the NATO E-3D Component at Waddington, and the Station Commander has a NATO appointment as the E-3D Component Commander, reporting to the 2* NATO AEW Force Commander. With the UK contributing over a quarter of the total NATO AEW Force, the Deputy Force Commander is a RAF 1*