Estonia to Inform Locals About US Fighter Jet Flights – Air Force Commander

TALLINN (Sputnik) — The Estonian Air Force will inform local residents about US jet fighter missions so that they could photograph the aircraft, Estonian Air Force Commander Col. Jaak Tarien said Monday.

Last week, 14 F-16 fighters, part of the US Air Force in Europe, arrived in Estonia from their Italian base for joint military drills set to last through April 17.

"We asked our guests to change their routes more often, so that, for one thing, they wouldn't make too much noise in one place, while also letting as many Estonian citizens as possible see the aircraft," Tarien said in an interview with a local radio station.

The Air Force Commander added that they had also asked the US military to provide information about their routes one day before flights take place.

The joint exercises will include low-altitude flights and hitting ground targets with missiles and bombs. The target practice is scheduled for March 24 and 25.

The US fighters and some 300 personnel are currently stationed at the Amari Air Base outside Estonia's capital Tallinn.

Earlier this month, Estonia's mission to NATO said that US tanks and equipment arrived for joint military exercises, code-named Siil 2015 (Hedgehog 2015) to be held May 4-15.

The deployment of US servicemen in Estonia is part of operation Atlantic Resolve, which is designed to demonstrate the US commitment to NATO members across Eastern Europe through international training and security cooperation.