USAF Sends F-15E, KC-135 Aircraft to Norway for Military Exercise

Four F-15E fighters and one KC-135 Stratotanker will make the trip to Norway to take part in the Nordic Defense Cooperation which runs today through Thursday.

According to Air Force Times, the Nordic Defense Cooperation is a regularly scheduled military drill which was planned before Russia annexed the Crimea region of the Ukraine at the end of February.

During the exercise, the F-15s and roughly 40 airmen from RAF Lakenheath in Britain will work with air forces from Norway, Finland and Sweden at Bodo Main Air Station in Norway. Meanwhile, the lone KC-135 and 25 airmen from RAF Mildenhall will go to Orland Main Air Station.

As Air Force Times reports, Russia’s recent moves in the Ukraine have resulted in calls for Sweden and Finland to become permanent members of NATO. Norway is already a member.

“I hope Finland and Sweden do join NATO,” Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide said. “They would be welcomed with open arms by Norway and the alliance.”