TALLINN (Sputnik) – Joint exercises of the US and Estonian Air Forces that will involve participation of 12 US A-10 ground-attack aircraft are expected to begin on Tuesday in Estonia, the country’s Defense Ministry announced Monday.
"Training projectiles for on-board cannons and 25-pound dummy bombs will be used during the joint drills that will be held from September 22 to November 6 at the central training ground of the defense forces. The A-10 [aircraft] will be temporarily stationed at the Amari air base near Tallinn," the ministry said in a press release.
Washington actively takes part in joint military drills in the Baltic region.
In June, the United States pledged to construct military training facilities in six Eastern European nations, including Estonia, to facilitate the flexibility of NATO troops in the region.
NATO has been strengthening its military presence along Russia's western border since the start of the conflict in Ukraine last year, claiming Moscow's involvement.
Russia has repeatedly expressed concern that NATO's increased military activity near Russian borders could further aggravate existing tensions and undermine regional security.
