Two F-22s arrived Saturday in Estonia in Eastern Europe, the third nation the Raptors have visited so far on their deployment to the continent. second group of Raptors to deploy on the continent.
The two aircraft arrived at the Amari Air Base, Estonia, along with a KC-135 and 20 supporting airmen. The planes are part of a group of four F-22s that arrived in Germany on Aug. 28.
Two of those F-22s and crew visited Poland for training exercises.
It’s part of the European Reassurance Initiative, which “provides support to bolster the security of NATO allies and partners in Europe while demonstrating the U.S. commitment to regional and global security,” the Air Force said.
Raptors are being deployed to Europe for the first time for cooperative training missions and exercises. The U.S. has sought to bolster its allies — especially those in Eastern Europe — after Russian actions during the crisis in Ukraine.
Four F-22s had already arrived in Germany on Aug. 28, then proceeded to fly to Poland for training exercises.
The two aircraft will be in Estonia “for a brief period of time” before returning to Germany, the Air Force said, before returning to Germany.
