48 FW hosts F-35 tour for Belgian air force

Members of the Belgian air force toured a U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft with a pilot assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing from Royal Air Force Lakenheath at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 3, 2022. Members of the 48th FW and three F-35s forward deployed to Ämari AB to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission. Operations conducted with U.S. forces, allies and partners demonstrate the U.S.’s commitment to strong relationships necessary for peace and stability. 
Members of the Belgian air force listen as a U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing from Royal Air Force Lakenheath explains different components of an F-35 Lightning II aircraft at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 3, 2022. Members of the 48th FW and three F-35s forward deployed to Ämari AB to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission. European partners and U.S. forces continue to conduct engagements and multinational exercises to enhance interoperability and improve regional cooperation, maritime security and stability.
A U.S. Air Force pilot, right, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing from Royal Air Force Lakenheath discusses F-35 Lightning II aircraft capabilities with members of the Belgian air force at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 3, 2022. Members of the 48th FW and three F-35s forward deployed to Ämari AB to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission. The Belgian and U.S. Air Forces have flown, and continue to fly, together to protect and defend allied airspace.
A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing from Royal Air Force Lakenheath gives a tour of an F-35 Lightning II aircraft for members of the Belgian air force at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 3, 2022. Members of the 48th FW and three F-35s forward deployed to Ämari AB to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission. U.S. forces in Europe live, train and operate with allies and partners from strategic locations across Europe. These locations are critical for a timely and coordinated response during peacetime and crisis. 
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Adam Benschoter, 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, and members of the Estonian air force refuel an F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing from RAF Lakenheath, at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 2, 2022. Members of the 48th FW forward deployed to Ämari AB to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission. U.S. forces in Europe live, train and operate with allies and partners from strategic locations across Europe. These locations are critical for a timely and coordinated response during peacetime and crisis.
U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Adam Benschoter, 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, and members of the Estonian air force partnered to refuel an F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing from RAF Lakenheath at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 2, 2022. Members of the 48th Fighter Wing forward deployed to Ämari AB to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission. European partners and U.S. forces continue to conduct engagements and multinational exercises to enhance interoperability and improve regional cooperation, maritime security and stability.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Adam Benschoter, 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, meets with a member of the Estonina air force to discuss refueling an F-35 Lightning II aircraft from RAF Lakenheath at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, March 2, 2022. Members of the 48th Fighter Wing forward deployed to Ämari AB to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced Air Policing mission. The F-35 allows NATO leaders the flexibility to project power and assert air dominance in highly contested environments by providing unprecedented communication capabilities, command and control, and lethality.