North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NATO
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:

2009
Albania

1949
Belgium

2004
Bulgaria

1949
Canada

2009
Croatia

1999
Czechia

1949
Denmark

2004
Estonia

2023
Finland

1949
France

1955
Germany

1952
Greece

1999
Hungary

1949
Iceland

1949
Italy

2004
Latvia

2004
Lithuania

1949
Luxembourg

2017
Montenegro

1949
Netherlands

2020
North Macedonia

1949
Norway

1999
Poland

1949
Portugal

2004
Romania

2004
Slovakia

2004
Slovenia

1982
Spain

2024
Sweden

1952
Türkiye

1949
United Kingdom

1949
United States
Flag Adopted: 14 October 1953
Special Annual Day: NATO Day: 4 April
Today's Flag: ©1989-2024 DJ CLIFFORD, All Rights Reserved