Military exercises called Arctic Challenge 2023 have started in Norway. American fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters are taking part in them.
What is known
The US Air Force sent more than two dozen aircraft to Norway. These include eight F-35 Lightning IIs and 14 fourth-generation F-15E Strike Eagle fighters. F-35s are taking part in the Arctic Challenge exercise for the first time.
The 48th Fighter Wing deployed F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft to the Prikkala base in Finland. The 493rd squadron of F-35 Lightning II went to the base “Erland” (Ørland) in Norway. KC-135R Stratotanker air tankers are also located there.
The Arctic Challenge event was first organized in 2013. This year, about 150 aircraft from the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Canada and the Czech Republic are involved in the exercises. The hosts are Sweden, Finland and Norway. The exercises will last until June 9.
Three days after the end of the Arctic Challenge 2023, a larger event starts in Europe – Air Defender 23. The US Air National Guard is deploying about a hundred aircraft to Europe, including F-35, F-16, F-15 and A-10. The exercises will be held in Germany, Estonia, Latvia and the Czech Republic.
Source: DON’T DIE
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