Five F-16 fighter jets and 76 crew members will soon fly to Estonia as the Turkish air force prepares to undertake an air policing mission in the Baltic region as part of a NATO operation.
The jets and their personnel continue preparations for the important task, which comes amid heightened concerns about the risk of the Russia-Ukraine conflict spilling over into the region. Also known as the “Pars (Leopard) Squadron,” the unit is currently based at its home base in Diyarbakır, southeastern Türkiye. Key NATO ally Türkiye often offers its services for the alliance’s air policing missions in Europe. This time, the squadron will be stationed at Amari Air Base in Estonia, which does not have its own fighter jets, unlike the other Baltic countries, Lithuania and Latvia.
The crews will be in Estonia from August to November for round-the-clock Quick Reaction Alert missions, keeping watch for airspace violations.
F-16 fighter jets fly above Diyarbakır, southeastern Türkiye, July 26, 2026. (AA Photo)
The squadron’s commander, Lt. Col. Özdemir, told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Sunday that air policing is a peacetime air defense activity.
