NATO

The country received its first few Vipers in late July and expects it will have around 20 fighter pilots ready for combat by the end of the year.

The fighter jets are initially expected to operate well out of harm’s way, targeting drones and conducting defensive operations.

The first-of-its-kind competition challenged combat pilots from the U.S., U.K., Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, and Germany.

For most of its first century the RCAF has generally punched above its weight in terms of capability and influence.

A date has reportedly been set for the Nordic country to officially join the alliance.

The $54.3 million refurbishment of the Soviet-era airbase is meant to strengthen the alliance’s presence in the Western Balkans.

The Arctic exercise of surface attack, air interdiction, and close air support scenarios comes as Sweden is set to join NATO.

The aircraft is the first of Norway’s four C-130J-30s to be retrofitted by Lockheed Martin with Block 8.1 upgrades.

U.S. F-35s and a KC-135 Stratotanker participate in the aerial drill with NATO’s E-3A surveillance aircraft.

This week Czech Gripen fighter pilots also practice air-to-air refueling with an A-330 tanker.