ROYAL NORWEGIAN
AIR FORCE CONDUCTS NATO MISSION IN ICELAND
From 2 to 23 March, the Royal
Norwegian Air Force supported NATO's Air Policing mission in Iceland, providing
F-35 fighter aircraft to patrol the skies in the High North. The mission underlines Alliance commitment,
capability and readiness to defend Allied airspace. NATO Air Policing is a fundamental component
of NATO’s broad portfolio of capabilities, platforms and activities designed to
sustain a stable and secure environment for its members.
ALLIED AND
PARTNER AIR FORCES PARTICIPATE IN BALTIC TRIDENT
From 16 to 18 March, Allied and
Partner Air Forces in the Baltic region took part in Exercise Baltic Trident. U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets from RAF
Lakenheath and KC-135s from RAF Mildenhall, both in the United Kingdom,
deployed to Ämari Air Base, Estonia. Regular training serials such as this aim to
foster integrity and security within the Baltic Sea region. NATO conducts multi-domain, realistic, and challenging
exercises in order to ‘train as we would fight.’
FRENCH AND
BRITISH ARMOURED EQUIPMENT ARRIVES AT PORT OF PALDISKI
On March 17, British and French Army
armoured vehicles, and other military equipment, arrived via sea at the Estonian
port of Paldiski to support the Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup based in
Estonia and led by the United Kingdom. The UK consignment comprised armoured vehicles
such as the Warrior and Bulldog, field guns, and 4x4 all-terrain vehicles. The British 1st MERCIAN
Battlegroup, due to arrive before the end of the month for a six-month
deployment, will make use the vehicles and equipment. It will be taking over from the 5th
RIFLES Battlegroup as the leading element of the NATO Battlegroup based in
Tapa.