For the First Time, F-35s Fighter Jets Take over Baltic Air Policing Missions Our Bureau 564
F-35A fighter
Four Italian Air Force F-35A fighter planes landed at Estonia’s Amari Air Base on April 30 to take over the NATO’s BAP (Baltic Air Policing) mission for the first time.
It is also the first deployment of Italian F-35As to Estonia. These jets will replace the German Eurofighter Typhoon fighters in rotation. The aircraft belongs to the 13° Gruppo (Squadron) of the 32° Stormo (Wing) from Amendola Air Base, in southeastern Italy, and their deployment to Estonia was supported by a KC-767A tanker, Estonian Air Force said in a statement.
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Sputnik International
It’s the first time 5th generation aircraft take part in BAP mission.
On Apr. 30, 2021, four Italian Air Force F-35A Lightning II jets landed at Amari Air Base, Estonia, to take over the NATO’s BAP (Baltic Air Policing) mission. It’s the first time the Italian stealth jets deploy to Estonia (even though the Italian Eurofighter Typhoons operated there for BAP in 2018) and also the first time that 5th generation aircraft support NATO’s mission in the Baltic States.
The Italian F-35s belong to the 13° Gruppo (Squadron) of the 32° Stormo (Wing) from Amendola Air Base, in southeastern Italy, and their deployment to Estonia was supported by a KC-767A tanker, flying as IAM1447 (and tracking online), from Pratica di Mare Air Base.
Reuters
Russian Tu-95MS Bear H and the Tu-160 Blackjack bombers launched Kh-555 cruise missiles at a range in the Komi Republic.
This exercise was one of many during a recent surge of Russian military activity across the entire country, especially around the Black Sea.
The Long-range Aviation Command of the Russian Air and Space Force conducted a command-staff exercise as part of the routine winter training, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence.
Notably, the exercise included the launch of cruise missiles from its Tu-95MS Bear H and Tu-160 Blackjack bombers. This exercise is one of the many disclosed during the recent surge of Russian military activity across the entire country and especially in the Black Sea region.
A Tu-160 Blackjack takes off for the cruise missile exercise. In the box: The Kh-555 cruise missile being loaded in the Tu-160’s bomb bays. (Photo: Russian Air Force)
Both the Russian Aerospace Forces Tu-95MS “Bear H” and the Tu-160 “Blackjack” launched Kh-555 cruise missiles at a range in the Komi Republic.
The Long-range Aviation Command of the Russian Air and Space Force conducted a command-staff exercise as part of the routine winter training, according to the Russian Ministry of Defence. Notably, the exercise included the launch of cruise missiles from its Tu-95MS “Bear H” and Tu-160 “Blackjack” bombers. This exercise is one of the many disclosed during the recent surge of Russian Military activity across the entire country and especially in the Black Sea region.