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NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Last modified: 2003-04-19 by rob raeside
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[Flag of NATO] by Zeljko Heimer and Antonio Martins


See also:


The NATO flag is 3:4, as described at the Nato Website.

I quote a portion of the above referenced web site:

The Official NATO-color code is Pantone Color Guide No 280

Dimensions
Length: 400
Width: 300
Star: 150
Diameter of circle 115
Space between points of star
and start of white lines
10
Space between outer edge of flag
and extremity of white lines
30

Lee Thompson, 29 Sep 1998

NATO Allied Command Europe

[NATO Allied Command Europe] by Joe McMillan

I found the badge needed at the website for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, so here's the flag for NATO's Allied Command Europe. Proportions are based on my estimate from seeing the flag outside the SHAPE liaison office in the Pentagon. The flag is trimmed with gold (not golden yellow) fringe. The motto translates as "Vigilance is the price of liberty."

Joe McMillan, 22 May 2000

I've seen this flag listed in various flag books as the SHAPE flag, rather than as Allied Command Europe. Is there any distinction between the two entities?

Roy Stilling, 23 May 2000

SHAPE is the headquarters of ACE. I suppose that since the various components of ACE have their own flags, it is more correct to call this the flag of SHAPE. On the other hand, it is used to represent all of ACE, as shown in photographs of General Joseph Ralston, USAF, replacing General Wesley Clark, USA, as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander in Chief, US European Command.

Joe McMillan, 23 May 2000


Significance of different dimensions

[Flag of NATO, 2:3]
by Ivan Sache, 8 January 2001, based on image by Zeljko Heimer and Antonio Martins

[Flag of NATO, 1:2]
by Ivan Sache, 8 January 2001, based on image by Zeljko Heimer and Antonio Martins

According to Pavillons nationaux et marques distinctives, it is also used in proportion 2:3 and 1:2.

Ensign of the Stanavforlant

[Ensign of the Stanavforlant] by Ivan Sache, 8 January 2001

In proportion 3:5, the NATO flag is used as the ensign of the Stanavforlant (Standing Naval Force in the Atlantic) or Stanavforchan (Standing Naval Force in the Channel) vessels.
Ivan Sache, 8 January 2001
Source: Pavillons nationaux et marques distinctives

Stanavforchan commander's ensign

[Stanavforchan commander's ensign] by Ivan Sache and António Martins-Tuválkin, 20 September 2001

In proportion 3:5, but in trapezoidal, swallow-tailed shape, and with the lines around the compass removed, it is the ensign used by the Stanavforchan commander.
Ivan Sache, 8 January 2001
Source: Pavillons nationaux et marques distinctives

The COMSTANAVFORCHAN has been changed into COMMCMFORNORTH (Commander Mine Counter Measure Forces Northern Europe). The same pennant is also flown by COMMCMFORSOUTH (Southern Europe). The flag is not trapezoidal anymore but rectangular, still with swallowtail.
Roel Vandenvonder, 7 June 2002


Commander ensign of Stanavforlant (Dutch usage)

[Stanavforlant commander's ensign] by Gerard van der Vaart, 4 October 2001

The Netherlands navy uses a similar flag but with two shades of blue. According to NL navy regulations (VVKM 19 bijlage O, p.65) this is the commander ensign of STANAVFORLANT or STANAVFORCHAN. Two sizes, both 2:3.


Unknown NATO flag

A NATO-type flag was spotted in June 2000 with a wreath and undistinguished objects around it. Please let us know if you can identify it.

I think, from the context of the picture, that that might be the flag of the International Military Staff or the personal flag of the chairman of the Military Committee. Just a guess.
Joe McMillan, 8 January 2001