Ämari Air Base

The primary task of the 1st Air Squadron is to conduct observation and reconnaissance flights. It must also be prepared to carry out small-scale air transport flights, medical evacuation flights and support to civilian authorities, including the Police and Border Guard Board, the Rescue Board and others. In addition, the squadron supports the training of Estonian Defence Forces units, including the Air Force’s own training activities.

The Estonian Air Force operates two M28 transport aircraft. In addition, the Air Force leases L-39 jet trainers, which are used primarily for two purposes:

• training of Air Force intercept controllers
• training of Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs)

In Estonia, intercept controllers are also trained for the Latvian Air Force, and the JTACs of Allied units stationed in Estonia likewise use the support of our jet trainers for their training.

For Ämari Air Base, supporting NATO Allied air policing detachments and transport flights is a round-the-clock task. In addition, supporting the flight missions of the 1st Air Squadron is part of the Air Base’s daily routine.

Exercise periods are a particularly demanding time, as the number of flights and aircraft based at Ämari can increase significantly. The first international exercise involving the Air Base took place as early as 1997 — Baltic Challenge 97. Today, in addition to NATO Allied real-life operations, numerous exercises and training activities are conducted each year. The Air Base often has to support several exercises taking place simultaneously, involving both Allied and Estonian aircraft.

NATO member states, including Estonia, designate specific areas of their airspace for Air Force exercises and training activities, including low-altitude flights. Low-altitude flights are conducted at no lower than 152 metres (500 feet). Such flights are carried out in coordination with the Estonian Transport Administration and the Estonian Air Navigation Services.

Information on Ämari Air Base services is available on the Electronic Aeronautical Information Package (eAIP) website of the Estonian Air Navigation Services: https://eaip.eans.ee/

(EEEI — Ämari Military Aerodrome)

NATO is based on the principle of collective defence, which also includes the understanding that the airspace of the member states is shared and, where necessary, defended collectively. Estonia and the other Baltic states do not have fighter aircraft of their own to monitor and defend their airspace; therefore, other Allied nations help protect the airspace of our region with their fighter aircraft on a rotational basis.

A rotation of one air policing detachment usually lasts four months. Baltic Air Policing (BAP) began on the same day that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined NATO. Initially, the mission consisted of one detachment based at Šiauliai Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force. In 2014, following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the changed security situation in Europe, NATO decided to strengthen air policing in the Baltic region. Since 1 May 2014, a NATO Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) detachment has been based at Ämari Air Base.

At both Ämari and Šiauliai, the detachments maintain round-the-clock readiness. Air policing is primarily an air defence operation conducted in peacetime conditions and is comparable to border guarding.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are not the only NATO members whose airspace defence is supported by Allies. For example, Belgian fighter aircraft conduct air policing in Luxembourg’s airspace, while Italian air policing fighter aircraft help ensure the integrity of Slovenian and Albanian airspace. Iceland also relies on Allied support.

BAP missions in Ämari Air Base:

In 1940–1941, the Soviet Union, which was occupying Estonia at the time, established a military airfield on the site of the present-day Air Base. After the war, Ämari served as a reserve airfield and, in 1952, was converted into a main airfield. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was primarily home to Su-24 naval aviation attack aircraft and transport aircraft.

The Republic of Estonia took over Ämari Airfield in 1994. Two years later, the airfield was placed under the administration of the Ministry of Defence. The Air Base as an Estonian Air Force unit was established on 15 May 1997.

Until 2004, it was possible to complete conscript service in the Military Police Squadron of Ämari Air Base. The squadron’s task was to ensure the security and defence of the base. Today, the Air Base is staffed only by active-duty regular service members and civilian employees.