Features

USAFE supports NATO Enhanced Air Policing

Photos by Staff Sgt. Megan Beatty
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
February 4, 2022
Two F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC, are parked at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 26. The F-15E Strike Eagles, along with Belgian F-16s, are deployed to Ämari Air Base in support of a NATO enhanced Air Policing mission. NATO’s enhanced Air Policing missions demonstrate solidarity, collective resolve and its ability to adapt and scale its defensive missions and deterrence posture in response to the evolving security situation facing the alliance.
A loadmaster assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron from Ramstein Air Base unloads cargo at Ämari Air Base, Estonia Jan. 24. Members of Ramstein Air Base delivered cargo and personnel to support a NATO enhanced air policing mission. Operations conducted with U.S. forces, allies and partners demonstrate the U.S.’ commitment to strong relationships that are necessary for peace and stability in the European theater.
Members of the Estonian Air Force unload cargo from a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing from Ramstein Air Base, at Ämari Air Base, Estonia Jan. 24. Ämari Air Base is hosting the Belgian and U.S. Air Forces to conduct an enhanced air policing mission for NATO. Enhanced air policing was introduced in 2014 with the goal of assuring north eastern and south eastern allies demonstrate the collective resolve of allies and demonstrate the defensive nature of NATO to deter adversaries from aggression or the threat of aggression against NATO allies.
Six F-15E Strike Eagles, assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in N.C., receive routine maintenance after arriving at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 26. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, and is able to fly at low altitudes at any time of day and in all weather.
Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC, and the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, arrive at Ämari Air Base, Estonia Jan. 24. The Airmen traveled via a C-130J Super Hercules, assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing from Ramstein Air Base, to support an NATO enhanced air policing mission. NATO air policing maintains allied airspace to deliver solidarity and technical interoperability — a vital contribution to NATO’s operational success and key to enabling ally and partner nation trust.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Badih Massis, left, 336th Fighter Generation Squadron avionics specialist from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC, uses an Identify Friend or Foe tester during practice alert launches at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 27. Members of the 336 FGS and 336th Fighter Squadron are deployed to Ämari AB to support a NATO enhanced air policing mission. Although the air policing mission has been executed continuously since 1961, frequent training and exercising is critical to ensure NATO forces remain fully prepared. This allows for practicing multi-domain operations during air policing missions and exercises to develop allied forces and strengthen the alliance. The 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB is home to two operational and two training F-15E fighter squadrons, making it one of the largest fighter wings in the U.S. Air Force.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Sam Simmons, left, 336th Fighter Squadron weapons systems officer from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and Capt. Andrew Gikas, center, 336 FS pilot, prepare to practice alert launches in the F-15E Strike Eagle at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 27. The F-15E Strike Eagles, along with Belgian F-16s, are deployed to Ämari AB in support of a NATO enhanced Air Policing mission. The Belgian, Estonian and U.S. Air Forces are conducting flying operations together to protect and defend allied airspace. This deployment is focused on enhancing the deterrence air posture in the Baltic region.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tate Larson, 336th Fighter Generation Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., watches as members of the 336th Fighter Squadron practice alert launches at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 27. Members of the 4th Fighter Wing are deployed to Ämari Air Base, Estonia, to support a NATO enhanced Air Policing mission.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jared Thoeming, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distributor from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., refuels an F-15E Strike Eagle, from the 4th Fighter Wing, at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 28. Members of the 4 FW deployed to Ämari AB to support a NATO enhanced Air Policing mission and practice agile combat employment concepts. European partners and U.S. forces continue to conduct engagements and multinational exercises to enhance interoperability and improve regional cooperation and security.
(Left) U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jared Thoeming, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distributor from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., detaches a fuel hose from an F-15E Strike Eagle at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 28. Exercising elements of Agile Combat Employment enables U.S. forces in Europe to operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support, ensuring Airmen and aircrews are postured to deliver lethal combat power across the spectrum of military operations in the event of a crisis.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jared Thoeming, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distributor from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., notates how much fuel an F-15E Strike Eagle received at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 28.
U.S. Air Force Airman Kennedy Cuellar, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distributor from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., prepares to refuel an F-15E Strike Eagle at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 28.
(Right) U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dayln Grubb, left, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, and Senior Airman Jose Sanchez, right, 48 LRS vehicle maintenance technician, stand in front of a deicer truck at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 29.
(Right) U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dayln Grubb, left, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, and Senior Airman Jose Sanchez, right, 48 LRS vehicle maintenance technician, perform maintenance on a forklift at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 29.
U.S. Air Force Airman Kennedy Cuellar, 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants distributor from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., refuels an F-15E Strike Eagle at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 28.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dayln Grubb, left, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, repairs a deicer truck at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, Jan. 29.
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