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North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NATONATO

Today's Flag

is the flag of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, better known as NATO, a military and political alliance of 32 member states.  While committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes, NATO forces stand ready to defend against as well as deter any aggression against any or all members of the collective.  NATO also has capability to undertake crisis-management operations or respond when required by United Nations mandate either alone or as part of a multinational group. 

The Alliance was originally formed to coordinate military defence in the western hemisphere against increasing Soviet ambitions.  The total blockade of Berlin in 1948, led to the United States and United Kingdom Armed Forces performing 278,228 flights to bring critical supplies into the city during the 463-day Berlin Airlift.  This allied effort to preserve the population and freedom of that city made it clear that some sort of international preparation and cooperation would be necessary in the post-World War 2 world environment.  Logistics pre-planning, multinational battlegroup training and standardized equipment are some of the many NATO specialties.

Following the demise of the USSR in 1991, several nations of the former Warsaw Pact have since joined NATO to enjoy the security and gain the stability of belonging to the alliance. Governed by the North Atlantic Council and led by the Secretary-General, this organization is unique in that only decisions that gain the consensus of all member nations are passed.  On the military side, the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe is traditionally a four-star US general, who executes operations as directed by the North Atlantic Council.  Today, NATO is pivoting, training and preparing to help defend against many new non-conventional threats such as cyberwarfare and non-state-actor terrorism.

 

Quick Facts

Secretary-General: Jens Stoltenberg, Norway
Appointed: 1 October 2014

Governing body: North Atlantic Council

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR): General Christopher G. Cavoli, USA
Headquarters (SHAPE): Mons, Belgium
Appointed: 4 July 2022

Founded: 4 April 1949: Washington, DC
Authority: North Atlantic Treaty

2023 Strength
Active: 3,358,000 Regular force members
Reserves: 1,720,700 Reserve force members
Paramilitary: 738,400 members

NATO Members:

Albania
2009
Albania
Belgium
1949
Belgium
Bulgaria
2004
Bulgaria
Canada
1949
Canada
Croatia
2009
Croatia
Czechia
1999
Czechia
Denmark
1949
Denmark
Estonia
2004
Estonia
Finland
2023
Finland
France
1949
France
Germany
1955
Germany
Greece
1952
Greece
Hungary
1999
Hungary
Iceland
1949
Iceland
Italy
1949
Italy
Latvia
2004
Latvia
Lithuania
2004
Lithuania
Luxembourg
1949
Luxembourg
Montenegro
2017
Montenegro
Netherlands
1949
Netherlands
North Macedonia
2020
North Macedonia
Norway
1949
Norway
Poland
1999
Poland
Portugal
1949
Portugal
Romania
2004
Romania
Slovakia
2004
Slovakia
Slovenia
2004
Slovenia
Spain
1982
Spain
Sweden
2024
Sweden
Türkiye
1952
Türkiye
United Kingdom
1949
United Kingdom
United States
1949
United States

Flag Adopted: 14 October 1953

Special Annual Day: NATO Day: 4 April

 

 
 

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