Allied Air Command welcomes Montenegro to NATO

Some 350 military and civilian members of Headquarters Allied Air Command gathered in the morning of June 9 to mark the accession of Montenegro to NATO during a flag-raising ceremony at the NATO compound at Ramstein.
Officiated by the Deputy Com­mander of Allied Air Command, Air Marshal Stu Evans, Royal Air Force, the national flag of Montenegro was raised among the 28 other NATO Allies’ banners for the first time.
A representative from the Monte­negro Mission to NATO, Air Force Lt. Col. Toni Sic, witnessed this important symbolic moment.
“Today represents more than simply adding an additional flag to our impressive collection,” said Evans during the event. “It demonstrates the continuing strength and relevance of our Alliance and our ability to work together to contribute to wider peace and stability.”
Montenegro officially joined NATO on June 5 with depositing its accession document to the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., marking the ac­com­plishment  of an eleven-year-long process in which the new member has successfully deepened its relationship with NATO.
Allied Air Command is Monte­negro’s point of contact for all airpower matters and will expand NATO Air Policing procedures to include the new Ally’s airspace.