Details
USAF F 22 1 640Hat in the Ring's deployment well underway
 
From 8 till 12 May 2023, as part of the USAF Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptors operated from Ämari Air Base (Estonia).
 
While being forward based in Estonia, USAF's 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Hat in the Ring flew Basic Fighter Manoeuvres (BFM) alongside Royal Air Force's Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets from IX (B) Sq. While the UK Typhoons, normally based at RAF Lossiemouth, are currently deployed on "Operation Azotize" as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing Mission, the USAF F-22A stealthy Fifth-Generation fighters are tasked with supporting NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Shielding mission along the complete Eastern flank.
 
In early April, Joint Base Langley-Eustis' 94th Fighter Squadron, part of the 1st Fighter Wing, deployed a dozen F-22A Raptors to Poland’s Powidz Air Base. The FF coded Raptors are in support of the NATO’s mission to bolster its Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) and Counter-Integrated Air Defence System (C-IADS) capabilities along the Alliance’s 1,500-mile Eastern flank.
 
United States Air Force fifth generation fighter jets support NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Shielding Mission along the Eastern Flank executing an Agile Combat Employment deployment. Imagery shows the F-22 Raptors conducting sorties alongside Royal Air Force Typhoons currently based at Amari Air Base, Estonia, for Operation AZOTIZE.By rapidly fielding forces alongside NATO Allies in the Baltic Sea region, USAF in Europe highlights the operational readiness of the coalition forces throughout the European theatre and their ability to respond to defend NATO territory. The Baltic nations – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania – are situated on a critical air, land, and sea corridor, which requires a coordinated approach between Allies to maintain and sustain international freedom of manoeuvre throughout the region.As a highly manoeuvrable stealth aircraft, the F-22 Raptor Jet is designed to rapidly project dominance, penetrate evolving threats, and achieve air superiority.Operation AZOTIZE is a long-established NATO Baltic Air Policing mission. Through 2023, the UK, along with NATO partners, will be based out of Amari Air Base, Estonia, in order to demonstrate their commitment to the security of the region and provide Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) where necessary. The following FF coded F-22As are deployed to Europe: 05-4099, 05-4107, 08-4158, 09-4171, 09-4177, 09-4179, 09-4183, 09-4187, 09-4191, 10-4194 (as 94FS flagship) + 2.
 
Credit photos: Royal Air Force and Matt Varley (On Flickr)

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