RAMSTEIN, Germany – On the 30 January, 2024, Estonian and Dutch air force personnel collaborate on the F-35 fighter jets stationed at Amari air base, on NATO’s Air Policing Mission.
Four Air policing F-35 jets stationed at Åmari were joint by four additional Dutch F-35s, from Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, for a training event based on the concepts of Agile Combat Employment (ACE).
Dutch military personnel have been collaborating with their Estonian colleagues whilst detached at Åmari, and for the first time aircraft technicians from the Estonian air force observe servicing on the fifth-generation aircraft alongside their Dutch counterparts. This event was significant for the Estonian air force, as the Baltic country does not have the F-35 jets themselves.
Cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Air Force has been extremely valuable in developing competence in cross-servicing modern aircraft
“Today’s training is special and important because, for the first time, Estonian Air Force specialists had the opportunity to participate in preparing the fifth-generation fighter jets, currently assigned to the Baltic Air Policing Mission, for rapid combat readiness.” Said Captain Maarek Kallas, Estonian Airfield Squadron Commander. “Cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Air Force has been extremely valuable in developing competence in cross-servicing modern aircraft on the ground and in preparing personnel to ensure allied aircraft are quickly combat-ready. The goal is to maintain the skills learned today by continuing similar trainings in the future,“ he added.
For the first time, Estonian Air Force specialists had the opportunity to participate in preparing the F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets at Åmari. Photo courtesy of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Four Air policing F-35 jets stationed at Åmari were joint by four additional Dutch F-35s, from Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, for the training event. Photo courtesy of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Dutch military personnel have been collaborating with their Estonian colleagues whilst deployed under NATO's Air Policing mission. Photo courtesy of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
This event was significant for the Estonian air force, as the Baltic country does not have the F-35 jets themselves. Photo courtesy of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
ACE is an operational scheme of manoeuvre designed to improve resilience and survivability while generating air combat power from both home bases and geographically dispersed locations.
NATO and Allied Air Command places great emphasis on Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and is one of General James Hecker’s, Commander Allied Air Command, main priorities.
This type of activity provides valuable learning objectives for non-F-35 countries and enables the quick redeployment of fighter jet when necessary. “The collaboration between Dutch and Estonian personnel has been very good since the start of the mission. To be able to work on 8 F-35’s together today has been a great milestone during this deployment. The Estonian maintainers increased their knowledge within Cross-servicing our fighter jets and it has been great for the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s crew chiefs to be able to support them in this,” said Lieutenant Daan, head of maintenance for the Dutch F-35 detachment.
The Dutch F-35 detachment have been stationed at the Estonian air base since the beginning of December 2024, providing a major contribution to collective security in the region. The present deployment to Estonia for NATO’s Air Policing mission underscores the Netherlands commitment to collective deterrence and defence.
At home, the Netherlands are among those Allies who use the F-35 as the only platform for Air Policing, exploiting the additional capabilities the aircraft offers. In addition, the Royal Netherlands Air Force are set to host NATO Allied Air Command’s premier exercise Ramstein Flag 25 from 31 March to 11 April 2025. The large-scale tactical-level live-fly exercise, will involve over 90 aircraft operating from 11 Allied air bases supported by over 15 NATO nations.