NATO:Norway Shelters F-35 As in Hanger Inside Mountain

Source:NATO article based on Royal Norwegian Air Force information - Bardufoss,Norway - 17 JUN 2024 - The Royal Norwegian Air Force continues to develop national operational concepts increasing combat aircraft survivability,as in mid-June Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters landed at Bardufoss Air Station taking back hangers and facilities deactivated for 40 years.The natural features of Bardufoss Air Station provide excellent protection for combat aircraft.The mountain hanger has recieved structural and equipment upgrades to increase its use for air operations.In the long term,this may lead to increased national and Allied fighter aircraft activity in the region of Northern Norway around the air station.Said BGEN Tom Strand of the Joint Air Operations Centre (JAOC):Bardufoss Air Station plays an important role in the further development of Norwegian,Nordic and Allied Air Power.NATO is very focused on the Nations' ability to disperse and quickly move air forces through development of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.The deteriorating security policy and the war in Ukraine mean that the Air Force must become sharper.Powerful stealth fighters are not enough.In a war situation,the planes are vulnerable on the ground.On the one hand,we are significantly increasing air defence for Evenes and Orland Air Bases.On the other,the Air Force must be able to disperse its combat aircraft and operate out of several other airports and air stations,both in Norway and Nordic countries if a crisis or war so requires.*Said COL Erik Stueland,commander of 131 Air Wing:This means we must use available mountain facilities for protection within the framework of Norway's operational distribution concept;we are using the entire Air Station at Bardufoss.The whole idea of dispersion is to be able to use all available airports throughout the Nordic Region;at Bardufoss,due to its existing infrastructure,we will also be able to play a large role in the initial mobilisation phase.*ACE is NATO's concept to strengthen the resilience and survivability of Allied Air operations.It combines already existing air bases with temporary operational bases,and positions combat air power through the dispersal of resources.*Lockheed Martin (LMT)

The F-35 Program is Essential to the Norwegian Armed Forces

F-35s:Norway's New Solution for Rapid Response

On 6 January 2022 at 1145 hours local,Norway's Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters officially assumed the Quick Reaction Alert mission from F-16 Fighting Falcons that had carried out the mission for 42 years,according to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.The transfer occurred at the mission's new home,Evenes Air Base in Northern Norway,a bit farther north than the previous site at Bodo Air Base. Said Major General Rolf Folland,Chief,Royal Norwegian Air Force: F-35 has now received the baton from F-16,continuing to keep a constant guard.I sense a great pride today.* The Quick Reaction Alert mission is executed on behalf of NATO.It provides a response to unknown aircraft within 15 minutes.The interceptors find,observe and document any unknown aircraft that near Norway and NATO airspace.The Evenes F-35s are a detachment from the main F-35 base at Orland Air Base in Central Norway.Evenes is to be the most significant air base in Northern Norway,also serving as the main base for a fleet of P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft.By 2025,Evenes will host about 500 employees and 300 conscripts to staff the base.Among the personnel will be an air defence battalion and a force protection squadron.Norway will acquire 52 F-35s by 2025.* Lockheed Martin says the F-35 is a decisive differentiator in near-peer warfare as the most advanced node in the networked 21st Century Warfare operational vision.It delivers vast amounts of information to accelerate critical decisions and prevail in warfighting.In additon to weapons in its internal weapons bay,the F-35 will also be capable of carrying the JASSM and JASSM-ER long-range,conventional strike air-to-ground cruise missile and the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) under its wings,once integration is complete.* Lockheed Martin (LMT)

Air With Ground:US and Norwegian Forces Exercise in the Arctic - plus a Vast Manoeuvre Coming Up

On 1 November 2021,Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighters and two US Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers exercised in the Arctic Region.The aircraft executed a joint targeting drill with Norwegian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) on the ground.This key Allied capability requires constant practise to optimise communications and procedures,Allied Air Command said.The mission also tested integration and interoperability between the advanced fighter platform F-35S and the supersonic B-1Bs.Noted Commander Allied Air Command,General Jeff Harrigian,US Air Force: Bomber Task Force missions optimise integration between NATO Allies while enhancing our response to threats throughout the Arctic.Combining fifth-generation assets with long-range strike capabilities strengthens our collective deterrence.* The F-35 offers unparalleled command and control for battlespace awareness.Coupled with the strategic range of the B-1B and the ability to employ mixed forces,the F-35s provide a spectrum of options for Allied commanders,Allied Air Command observed.* In 2022,Norwegian forces will lead a massive Arctic drill,Cold Response 2022.The Royal Norwegian Navy and Air Force will play the leading roles in CR 22,which will feature around 40,000 Allied troops.Indeed,it is to be the largest exercise inside the Arctic Circle since the 1980s,during the Cold War.The scenario of CR 22 is the reinforcement of Northern Norway in the Ofoten area,which is near Norway's Northern Brigade and several training areas used by NATO forces.Ofoten is considered to be strategically critical for the countering of a global crisis instigated by Russia.That is because it is only around 600 km/372.882 mi from Russia's nuclear submarines of its Northern Fleet,which is based on the Kola Peninsula. Russia will be invited to observe the drills,in accordance with international norms.On a number of occasions,however,Russia has conducted missile firings in the region with little advance warning,just suddenly posting a NOTAM notice of an air hazard zone.