Nato Radar Planes Start Olympic Flights Over Greece

ROME, Aug 10 (AFP) - NATO radar aircraft began surveillance flights over Greece Tuesday as part of the raft of security measures being put in place for the Olympic Games, the organization's southern command in Naples said.
The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft from Britain and Germany will be in the air around the clock to provide early warning for defensive purposes.
The aircraft can detect low-flying planes over long-distances and will be able to cover 310,000 square kilometers (120,000 square miles) of territory -- about two and a half times the total surface area of the country.
Greece appealed to NATO for help following the terrorist attacks on four suburban trains in Madrid on March.
NATO is also sending eight warships to the region from its force permanently stationed in the Mediterranean, and a unit specialized to defend against nuclear, biological and chemical attack.
The alliance also has put a force of 400 soldiers on standby in Germany, ready to intervene in Greece if the need arises during the games.
NATO said the Greek government had full responsibility for the overall Olympic security operation.