Editing Boeing E-3 Sentry (section)

===NATO===
NATO acquired 18 E-3As and support equipment, with the first aircraft delivered in January 1982.<ref name=Wilson_p75>Wilson 1998, p&nbsp;75.</ref> The aircraft are registered in [[Luxembourg]]. The eighteen E-3s were operated by Number 1, 2 and 3 Squadrons of NATO's E-3 Component, based at [[NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen]].<ref name=Wilson_p75/>

NATO E-3s participated in [[Operation Eagle Assist]] after the [[September 11 attacks]] on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e3a.nato.int/eng/html/organizations/humanitarian.htm |title=The history of the TCA Squadron |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528225040/http://www.e3a.nato.int/eng/html/organizations/humanitarian.htm |archive-date=28 May 2016 |publisher=NATO AWACS}}</ref> NATO and RAF E-3s participated in the [[2011 military intervention in Libya|military intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=NATO starts patrolling Libyan air space |newspaper=[[The Australian]] |date=11 March 2011 |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/nato-starts-patrolling-air-space-over-libya/story-e6frg6so-1226019422694 |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202163543/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/nato-starts-patrolling-air-space-over-libya/story-e6frg6so-1226019422694 |archive-date=2 February 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

From January 2011 to September 2014, NATO E-3s were deployed to [[Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport]], Afghanistan, as part of NATO's [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF) mission. The aircraft were used for [[air traffic control]] of military aircraft over the country, as well as surveillance, and tactical management of friendly aircraft. During the mission to Afghanistan, NATO E-3s flew 1,240 missions and accumulated 12,240 flying hours.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-09-25 |title=Last AWACS return home from Afghanistan |language=en |publisher=[[NATO]] |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_113328.htm |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |date=2014-09-29 |title=NATO finishes AWACS commitment to Afghanistan |language=en |publisher=[[FlightGlobal]] |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/nato-finishes-awacs-commitment-to-afghanistan/114627.article |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref>

Presently, 14 NATO E-3As are in the inventory, since one E-3 was lost in a crash and three were retired from service in 2015, 2017, and 2018.<ref name=Boeing_AWACS/><ref name="Flight1997">{{cite magazine |date=4–10 June 1997 |title=Military Safety |magazine=[[Flight International]] |page=44 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1997/1997%20-%201492.html |access-date=23 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309220355/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1997/1997%20-%201492.html |archive-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.keymilitary.com/article/nato-retires-second-e-3a-amarg|title=NATO retires second E-3A to AMARG |date=15 November 2018 |publisher=key military |access-date=26 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dm.af.mil/Media/Photos/igphoto/2002042489|title=NATO E-3A retires at 309 AMARG|publisher=dm.af.mil|access-date=26 October 2023|archive-date=26 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026191429/https://www.dm.af.mil/Media/Photos/igphoto/2002042489/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first was due for its six-year cycle Depot Level Maintenance (DLM) inspection which would have been very costly. The "449 Retirement Project" resulted in reclamation of critical parts with a value of upwards of $40 million which will be used to support the remaining active aircraft. Some of the parts to be removed are no longer on the market or have become very expensive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.e3a.nato.int/eng/html/stories/story_102.htm |title=A historic event – First NATO E-3A aircraft to retire |publisher=NATO |access-date=7 July 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150630121739/http://www.e3a.nato.int/eng/html/stories/story_102.htm |archive-date=30 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/411646/nato-e-3a-arrives-davis-monthan-afb#.VZvF7vlVikq |title=A NATO E-3A Arrives at Davis-Monthan AFB |website=dvidshub.net |access-date=14 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414172250/https://www.dvidshub.net/video/411646/nato-e-3a-arrives-davis-monthan-afb#.VZvF7vlVikq |archive-date=14 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>