NATO - Today's Flag

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: