NATO aircrews training in Estonia again this week
NATO air defense aircraft based in the Baltic states are conducting training flights in Estonian airspace this week, including low-level flights.
Some flights may reach supersonic speeds, producing a shock wave and a sonic boom that can sound like an explosion or artillery fire.
This is the second consecutive week that NATO aircrews have conducted training flights in Estonian airspace.
The flights take place from Monday, September 28 to Sunday, October 4, between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Any low-level flights will be conducted at an altitude no lower than 152 metres (500 feet). Aircraft may pass near populated areas or individual farms, although populated areas will be avoided where possible.
Today, Monday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the Spanish Air Force contingent currently based at Ämari will be conducting live-fire exercises over the sea between Saaremaa and Hiiumaa using their y F/A‑18 Hornets' onboard canon, rehearsing drone neutralization. The Estonian Navy patrol vessel EML Valve will be involved in safety checks of the maritime area, while the entire exercise will be monitored and coordinated by the Estonian Air Force's Air Operations Control Squadron.
Low-level flights are planned for Hiiumaa, Lääne and Harju counties on October 1 between noon and 3 p.m., with October 2 between 9 a.m. and noon designated as a reserve date.
The Air Force asks the public not to be alarmed by increased aircraft noise during the training period. All flight exercises will be conducted in accordance with Estonian law and held in coordination with the civilian Estonian Transport Administration and Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS).
Under a NATO decision, allied member states' air forces provide air defense for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, whose air forces currently do not have fast jets. The mission is based at Ämari Air Base in Estonia and at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania.
The NATO air mission was recently upgraded to a defense posture. The mission is a routine peacetime operation, with allied aircraft on standby to respond to airspace violations.
The mission is held on a rotating basis by the air forces of NATO member states who have fast jet capacity. Turkey's Air force, flying F-16 Fighting Falcons, was recently joined at Ämari the Spanish F-18s.
Editor's note: This piece is an updated version of the low altitude flights article published on September 22.
--
Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!
Editor: Andrew Whyte
