The US Air Force is deploying F-35 jets to Estonia, putting the service’s newest fighter jets even closer to Russia’s doorstep.
F-35A stealth Joint Strike Fighters will fly from a base in the United Kingdom to Estonia, which has an almost 200-mile-long border with Russia, an official told CNN on condition of anonymity.
The advanced aircraft flew from Hill Air Force Base in Utah to Royal Air Force’s Lakenheath airfield earlier this month.
Officials noted at the time that the Air Force also planned several “out and back” flights to other NATO nations that would help familiarize pilots with the region.
The Estonian media reported Monday that the jets were expected to arrive at the Ämari Air Base on Tuesday and would remain in the Baltic country for “several weeks.”
While in Estonia, the F-35s will conduct training flights with aircraft from the US and allied militaries.
The Air Force will also deploy F-35 jets to Romania, another NATO…