Ramstein, Germany – Four Portuguese F-16 fighter jets arrive at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, as they prepare to take on NATO’s enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission for the next four months.
The Portuguese Air Force take over NATO’s eAP mission from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) F-35 detachment. The Portuguese will deploy with around 90 military personnel and four F-16M fighter aircraft, this deployment marks Portugal’s first deployment to Estonia following several Air Policing rotations in Lithuania.
In a ceremony on March 17, at Air Base Number 5 in Monte Real, Portugal, military personnel assigned to the Air Policing mission received the National Colours of Portugal from the Air Commander, Lieutenant General Sérgio Pereira. During the ceremony, Lieutenant General Sérgio Pereira, expressed his confidence in the personnel who will soon represent the Portuguese Air Force and Portugal in Europe: “When we are present, we do so in a distinctive, professional, and credible manner, as only those who bear the national flag know how to do.”
Following several rotations in Lithuania, this deployment marks the first time the Portuguese take on Air Policing from Estonia. Photo courtesy of the Portuguese Air Force.
Four Portuguese F-16 fighter jets arrive at Ämari Air Base, Estonia as they prepare to take on NATO Air Policing mission. Photo courtesy of the Portuguese Air Force.
The seamless transition of operations to the Portuguese Air Force ensures security of the Baltic region. Photo courtesy of the Portuguese Air Force.
Portuguese forces will be responsible for securing the airspace over the Baltic region, taking over the mantel from the Dutch Air Force F-35 fighter jets. The RNLAF’s deployment to Ämari Air Base, marked the first NATO aircraft to operate from the airfield following the extensive runway renovations.
Whilst deployed in Ämari, Dutch military personnel collaborated closely with their Estonian colleagues when technicians from the Estonian air force observed servicing on the F-35 aircraft in an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) event. In addition, the jets participated in a Find, Fix, Track and Trace (F2T2) multi-domain mission demonstrating the fifth-generation fighter’s advanced capabilities.
The seamless transition of operations, maintaining the security of the Baltic region, reaffirms the Alliance’s commitment to safeguarding NATO airspace and reinforced NATO’s deterrence and defence posture along its eastern flank.
As the AP mission concludes for the RNLAF, they will prepare to execute exercise Ramstein Flag 25 (RAFL25), NATO Allied Air Command's premier large-scale, tactical-level exercise from Leeuwarden Air Base, in the Netherlands. From March 31 to April 11, 2025, RAFL25 will bring together over 90 aircraft from more than 15 Allied nations, further enhancing multi-domain operations, interoperability, and rapid response capabilities among Allied forces.