RAF Lossiemouth personnel meet German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Estonia
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RAF Lossiemouth personnel in Estonia as part of a NATO Baltic mission have met the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier during a visit to the country.
The Moray air forces and counterparts from the German Air Force are currently stationed at Amari Air Base – as part of NATO's response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
President Steinmeier was keen to inspect the work of both nations’ aircraft technicians in ensuring the sustained serviceability of the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
He also visited the Quick Reaction Alert hangars where he spoke to RAF and German Air Force pilots to discuss tactics and equipment.
The President had lunch with personnel from both Air Forces.
President Steinmeier said: “The message we are sending from here is very clear: NATO is ready to defend every square inch of its alliance territory. We stand by the Baltic states and assure them of our protection”.
The RAF’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing and German Air Force’s Tactical Air Wing 71 ‘Richtofen’ are currently
conducting combined NATO air policing, the first time two allies have conducted this mission as an integrated force.
The Commanding Officer of the RAF’s 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, Wing Commander Scott Maccoll said: “It was fantastic to have President Steinmeier visit Amari Air Base to witness the evolution of this long-standing mission in Estonia.
"He witnessed the hard work of RAF and German Air Force personnel, collaborating to ensure that the UK and Germany can operate as one team and effectively maintain NATO’s air policing mission in the Baltics.”