    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 16, 2002]
    [Page 812]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Completion of the NATO Air Mission in the United States
    May 16, 2002

        I thank NATO for the steadfast support and cooperation after the
    attacks on September 11. Today marks the end of NATO aircraft and crews
    patrolling American skies as part of Operation Noble Eagle. These
    aircrews began their deployment soon after the terrorist attacks of
    September 11th. This deployment, coupled with the declaration that the
    attacks on the United States were attacks on all NATO members, affirmed
    NATO's commitment to collective defense.
        For 220 days, NATO aircrews from 12 nations, based at Tinker AFB in
    Oklahoma, flew missions over the United States. On behalf of the
    American people, I thank them for their important contribution to the
    defense of this Nation.