Second Allied Tactical Air Force

Its area of responsibility covered the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany north of the city of Kassel and south of the Elbe river.

In 1983 NATO began with the construction of Static War Headquarters Castlegate in Linnich, Germany, as a replacement for JOC Maastricht.

An Alternate War HQ was located at Kanne (Belgium) north of Fort Eben-Emael.

If needed, 2 ATAF would have been reinforced with units from the US Third (UK based), Eighth (reconnaissance and bombing), Ninth (immediate reinforcements) and Twelfth Air Force (follow on reinforcements), and with French Air Force and Royal Air Force units.

At the start of hostilities, 2 ATAF would have had immediately around 700 combat planes at its disposal.

A Phantom FGR.2 of No. 92 Squadron landing at RAF Wildenrath in the mid-1980s
A F-15C Eagle of 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron taxiing at Soesterberg Air Base in the mid-1980s
A Mirage 5BR of 42nd Squadron takes off in 1989
An Alpha Jet taking off in 1985
A F-16A Fighting Falcon of No. 323 Fighter/Bomber Squadron lands at Leeuwarden Air Base in 1983