The 252,000 strong Bundeswehr (German for Federal Defence Force) was established in 1955 while the Federal Republic of Germany was being welcomed as a NATO member. The Bundeswehr's three services Luftwaffe, Army, and Navy provide 35,000 Response Forces, 70,000 Stabilization Forces and 147, 000 Support Forces as well as the Joint Support Service (JSS) and the Central Medical Service (CMS). Germany hosts several NATO facilities such as HQ DEU/NLD Corps, HQ CC-Land in Heidelberg, and the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Uedem, whose primary peacetime role is the tactical Command and Control of Quick Reaction Alert forces used to police NATO airspace over the Benelux countries, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Baltic States. Germany also hosts the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC), HQ CC-Air in Ramstein, and the NATO School Oberammergau, which teaches 85 different courses to over 10,000 students each year covering topics ranging from weapons employment to orientation to NATO. The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Main Operation Base and the Strategic Air Lift Interim Solution (SALIS) are also hosted by Germany in Geilenkirchen and Leipzig respectively.
Since the very beginning of each mission, the Bundeswehr has been contributing to International Security Allied Forces (ISAF), Kosovo Force (KFOR), and Operation Active Endeavour. Engaged in operations since 2001, Germany took over full responsibility for ISAF RC North in 2006 and is contributing some 3,500 personnel while providing a Forward Support Base, Quick Reaction Force, a Tornado Reconnaissance contingent, and Provincial Reconstruction Teams Feyzabad and Kunduz. Together with France and Italy, Germany operates the Afghanistan National Army Logistics School in Kabul. In 2009, Germany sent an additional 500 troops to Afghanistan, mainly to the Quick Reaction Force RC-N. More troops will be sent to Afghanistan and will be used for further ANA training. For KFOR, German troops are mainly deployed in the area of responsibility of Multinational Task Force (MNTF) South, while also supporting other MNTFs by temporary deployments of required maneuver and supporting elements. Concerning NATO's New Tasks in Kosovo, Germany also supports the new Military of Kosovo by providing two NATO Training Teams as well as key personnel in the Military Civilian Advisory Division (MCAD) with HQ KFOR.
The majority of the Germany population agrees with and supports the engagement of German's Armed Forces in missions abroad. Seventy percent approves of all NATO missions.