ÄMARI, Estonia – The Ämari Air Base welcomed a United States Air Force two-ship of F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2017 for a quick out-and-back deployment.

 

In the presence of the Estonian Minister of Defence, Margus Tsahkna, and the Commander of the Estonian Air Force, Colonel Jaak Tarien, the Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command, Air Marshal Stuart Evans, helped welcome the United States Air Force’s most-advanced fighter aircraft, the F-35, to the Baltics.

 

"Alliance Air Power remains an essential element of NATO’s operational capabilities and continues to deliver a vital contribution to our success,” said Air Marshal Evans. "With seven NATO nations as F-35 partners, this platform provides a significant enhancement to the Air and Joint capabilities of the Alliance.”

 

The F-35’s enhanced situational awareness and integration capabilities, stealth technology and advanced avionics, communication and sensor fusion capabilities serve to amplify and enhance the combat effectiveness of NATO members’ existing aircraft. The F-35 training deployment demonstrates the commitment of Allied nations to the development and improvement of its operational capabilities to meet current and future security challenges.

 

With barely two hours on the ground, the F-35A fighter aircraft taxied for take-off again. They returned to RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, where they are stationed during their deployment to conduct familiarisation flight training in Europe.

 

In the years to come, the F-35 will be more often seen helping secure NATO skies as the aircraft enters service with the US, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and the United Kingdom.