Norway uses Bardufoss mountain air station for F-35 fighters

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office based on information provided by the Royal Norwegian Air Force

The Royal Norwegian Air Force continues to further develop national operational concepts increasing combat aircraft survivability as in mid-June, F-35 fighter aircraft landed at Bardufoss Air Station taking back hangars and facilities inside the mountain that had been deactivated for 40 years.

 

The natural features of Bardufoss Air Station provide excellent protection for combat aircraft. The mountain hangar has received structural and equipment upgrades to increase its use for air operations. In the long term, this may lead to increased national and Allied fighter aircraft activity in the region of Northern Norway around the air station.

“Bardufoss Air Station plays an important role in the further development of Norwegian, Nordic and Allied Air Power,” said Brigadier Tron Strand, head of the Joint Air Operations Centre (JAOC). “NATO is very focused on the Nations’ ability to disperse and quickly move air forces through the development of the Agile Combat Employment or ACE concept,” he added

“The deteriorating security policy situation and the war in Ukraine mean that the Air Force must become sharper. Powerful stealth fighters are not enough. In a war situation, the planes are vulnerable on the ground. On the one hand we are significantly increasing air defence for Evenes and Ørland Air Base – this is part of our long-term planning,” Brigadier General Strand explained. “On the other, the Air Force must be able to disperse its combat aircraft and operate out of several other airports and air stations, both in Norway and the Nordic countries if a crisis or war so requires,” he went on to say.

 

 

“This means that we must use available mountain facilities for protection. Within the framework of Norway’s national operational distribution concept, we are using the entire air station at Bardufoss. First and foremost, this is about being prepared and in the long term this may involve more national and Allied activity here,” Brigadier General Strand concluded.

Bardufoss Air Station opened in 1938; it is Norway’s oldest operating air station and comes under the Norwegian Air Force’s 131 Air Wing. “Bardufoss is also used as a civilian airport; is well suited to take a prominent role in the operational distribution concept,” said Colonel Eirik Stueland, commander of 131 Air Wing. “The whole idea of dispersal of capabilities is to be able to use all available airports throughout the Nordic region; at Bardufoss, due to the existing infrastructure, we will also be able to play a larger role in an initial mobilization phase,” he added underlining that the mountain facility can also be used for Allied deployments.

Agile Combat Employment or ACE is NATO’s concept to strengthen the resilience and survivability of Allied Air operations. It combines already existing air bases with temporary operational bases to position capabilities and generate combat air power through the dispersal of resources.

 

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