1985 Campaign NATO Correspondence (4)

Z 032330Z AUG 85
FM AFCENT
TO NORTHAG
CENTAG
INFO 2 ATAF
4 ATAF
NATO C O N F I D E N T I A L
SIC IAA
SUBJECT HELSINKI AGREEMENT SHORT NOTICE EXERCISE.
1. HQ GSFG AT ZOSSEN HAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HELSINKI ACCORD ANNOUNCED A NO NOTICE AIR DEFENCE EXERCISE COMMENCING 040030Z AUG 85 AND LASTING FOR 12 HOURS.
2. THE STATED AIM OF THE EXERCISE IS QUOTE AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASED NATO OFFENSIVE PREPARATIONS IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT THE DEFENSIVE NATURE OF THE WARSAW PACT IS DEMONSTRATED AND THAT WE ARE READY TO REPEL ANY NATO INCURSION OF WARSAW PACT TERRITORY UNQUOTE.
3. MILITARY AIRCRAFT WILL OPERATE ABOVE 22000FT AGL. CIVILIAN AIR TRAFFIC WILL NOT BE DISRUPTED PROVIDING IT CONTINUES TO OPERATE INSIDE THE AUTHORISED AIR CORRIDORS OVER DDR. ALL CIVILIAN AIR TRAFFIC WILL BE DIRECTED TO REMAIN BELOW 20000FT AGL WITH NORMAL IDENTS. THIS INCLUDES ROUTINE AEROFLOT AIRCRAFT TRANSITING FROM WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES INTO THE EEC REGION.
4. NATURE AND NUMBERS OF AIRCRAFT INVOLVED 400+
5. SACEUR COMMENT. IT IS VITAL THAT WE DO NOT INITIATE ANY ENGAGEMENT WHEN RESPONDING TO THIS PROVOCATION. I HAVE ORDERED 2 AND 4 ATAF TO ENSURE A HIGH LEVEL OF READINESS IN OUR FIGHTER DEFENCES. ALL GROUND FORMATIONS ARE TO ENSURE THAT PASSIVE AD MEASURES IN PLACE. OUR GROUND BASED AIR DEFENCE IS NOT RPT NOT TO USE ACTIVE RADAR WITHIN 50KM OF THE IGB WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE FIXED NATO HAWK SITES.
6. IN LIGHT OF THE POTENTIAL FOR PRE EMPTIVE ATTACK NBC STATE MEDIUM IS DECLARED ACROSS THE REGION. ARMY GROUP COMMANDERS ARE AUTHORISED TO INCREASE THIS LEVEL OF PREPARATION AS THEY SEE FIT.