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Yesterday at 2 , six US F-15C fighters and two KC-135 tanker-aircraft touched down at Šiauliai airbase, Lithuania, tasked with strengthening defence of Baltic skies.
Baltics fortified with extra US fighters
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Presumably, the US fighter planes will in near future be exercising in Estonian airspace, said Headquarters of Defence Forces.
This week, defence minister Urmas Reinsalu consulted and analysed the altered European security situation due to events in Ukraine with the United States of America, asking allies to strengthen defence in our airspace. Yesterday, the US air force did send extra planes into the Baltic Sea region.
Regularly, the air defence group consists of four fighters. Starting yesterday, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian airspace is guarded by ten fighters and the refuelling aircraft.
In January, USA assumed defence of Baltic airspace from Belgium, the rotation happening every four months. The fighters are in constant readiness, 24/7, 365 days a year.
The F-15 fighters are considered the most effective fighters in existence today. Without refuelling in the air, the plane can cover 5,600 kilometres; its top tempo exceeds sonic speed more than twice.
Refuelling aircraft KC-135 Stratotanker is derived from Boeing 367-80. Over 800 of these have been built. Thanks to abundance of this kind of planes, the US air force is super effective – combat planes can be refuelled while in flight, thus able to fly to great distances.