Throughout this week, Estonian and Allied forces are practicing various air operations as part of the Pikne exercise, including close air support procedures. During the training allied aircraft also conduct low-altitude flights.
“The main focus of the air operations during exercise Pikne is to practice the procedures of the Air Support Operations Center at the division level, where tactical data communication is used with fighter jets to create situational awareness and target designation,” said Lieutenant Colonel Kristo Lipasaar, the head of Air Support Section of the Estonian Division. “Secure data communication allows real-time transmission of battlefield information to allied pilots from a safe distance, reducing the fighter jets’ flight time within the enemy’s air defense range and ensuring more effective mission execution.“
Additionally, rapid integration of Allied Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) into the chain of command of Estonian Division is being trained. In paralleel, low-altitude flights are conducted by Allied aircraft to create a suitable environment for parcticing air defence procedures by the reservists of the Short-Range Air Defence Battery (Estonian Division), and vessels participating exercise Pikne.
“The cooperation with the Dutch fifth-generation fighter jets F-35 and the French Dassault Rafale fighter jets has enabled the achievement of all training objectives, and allowed for testing the latest combat procedures to ensure success in the modern conventional combat environment,” said Lieutenant Colonel Lipasaar.
“It’s good to have contributed to exercise Pikne during our first week in Estonia,” said Lieutenant Colonel Pascal „Smiley“ Smaal, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force detachment. “Besides guarding the NATO-airspace, our deployment here enhances the interoperability between our armed forces operating with 5th generation fighter jets. It demonstrates that the Netherlands and its fellow NATO allies are prepared to share and combine capabilities, and to engage in joint training activities to promote visibility and collective defence of the NATO treaty area.”
Close Air Support (CAS) is a type of air operation where aircraft support ground units with precise fire, and are closely integrated with the ground unit’s maneuver and indirect fire support. Close Air Support is an important part of modern warfare, providing ground forces with decisive firepower to help them increase effectiveness on the battlefield.
The Division’s Air Support Section, the Air Force Air Operations Command Center, the Estonian and French Joint Terminal Attack Controllers are involved in the air operations. The air assets include French Dassault Rafale fighter jets, Dutch F-35 fighters participating in the Baltic Air Policing mission, and the Air Force’s Robinson R-44 helicopter. Ämari Air Base provides host nation support by accommodating the participating aircraft in the exercise.
During the exercise Pikne, from December 2 to 8, Allied air forces will conduct training flights, including low-level flights, in Estonian airspace with their fighter and transport aircraft. Training flights will take place in designated training areas.
International military exercise Pikne („Lightning“) is part of NATO activity Brilliant Eagle, focusing on Allied rapid deployability and interoperability in the Baltic Sea region. During the exercise, supplementary Allied units will be rapidly deployed to Estonia via land, sea and air to support and train together with the NATO multinational battlegroup and the Estonian Defence Forces in a simulated war situation. The exercise is led by the Estonian Division and nearly 2,000 participants from Estonia, Latvia, USA, France and United Kingdom are taking part of it.
