Dutch F-35 Estonian deployment doubles in rapid deployment exercise
February 3, 2025
The four-aircraft Dutch Air Force F-35A deployment at Ämari Air Base in Estonia doubled in size when it was joined by four additional Dutch F-35As from Leeuwarden Air Base for an Agile Combat Employment (ACE). NATO and Allied Air Command places great emphasis on Agile Combat Employment (ACE) which is one of the Commander of Allied Air Command, General James Hecker’s, main priorities. ACE is an operational scheme that is designed to improve resilience and survivability by generating combat air power from both home bases and geographically dispersed locations.
The deployment of additional F-35As placed a near full squadron strength fifth generation fighter deployment right on Russia’s doorstep for the first time.
The Dutch F-35As have been stationed at Ämari Air Base since the beginning of December 2024, for NATO’s Air Policing mission, providing a major contribution to collective security in the region. The deployment underscored the Netherlands long-standing commitment to collective deterrence and defence.
The deployment has seen Dutch military personnel collaborating with their Estonian hosts whilst deployed to Ämari, giving Estonian air force aircraft technicians the opportunity to observe servicing of a fifth-generation aircraft for the first time. This was something of a culture shock for the Estonians, since the Estonian Air Force combat air element consists of two leased L-39Cs with 2 Eskadrill at Ämari.
Captain Maarek Kallas, Estonian Airfield Squadron Commander said that: “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. Co-operation 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.”
Lieutenant Daan, the head of maintenance for the Dutch F-35 detachment agreed, saying: “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.”
The Royal Netherlands Air Force are due to host NATO Allied Air Command’s premier exercise – Ramstein Flag 25 – from 31 March to 11 April 2025. This large-scale tactical-level live-fly exercise will involve over 90 aircraft operating from 11 Allied air bases, supported by over 15 NATO nations.
