Danish F-35s step up operations and celebrating a special milestone
Denmark's Lightnings take over more duties from their F-16s and commemorating a special birthday
“Up there the world is divided into bastards and suckers. Make your choice.”
- Derek Robinson, RAF
Mission Briefing:
Denmark’s expanding fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters marks a critical milestone in the country's defense modernization, with implications for both national security and NATO's strategic posture in Northern Europe.
Denmark’s F-35 Fleet: Strengthening Nordic Defense
On Sunday, three F-35 Joint Strike Fighters touched down at Skrydstrup Air Base, completing a journey from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, via a stopover in the Azores. This marks the return of all seven training aircraft Denmark had been using in the U.S., increasing its local fleet to 11 jets. With 27 aircraft on order, Denmark is transitioning to the cutting-edge F-35 to replace its aging F-16s, ensuring readiness for the challenges of modern air combat.
A NATO Ally Bolsters Its Airpower
Denmark’s acquisition of the F-35 enhances its role within NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense System. Positioned in a strategically significant region bordering the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea, Denmark plays a vital role in securing NATO’s northern flank.
The F-35’s advanced capabilities will enable Denmark to fulfill key defense responsibilities, including:
Air Policing: The F-35’s stealth and rapid deployment capabilities will improve Denmark’s ability to intercept and repel unauthorized aircraft in Nordic and NATO airspace.
Deterrence and Defense: With its robust stealth design and powerful arsenal, the F-35 can serve as a credible deterrent to potential adversaries.
Joint Operations: As a fifth-generation multirole fighter, the F-35 seamlessly integrates with allied forces, ensuring greater interoperability in joint missions.
Global Context: The F-35 Program
Denmark is one of 17 partner nations participating in the F-35 program, which has become a cornerstone of NATO’s airpower. Over 965 F-35s are currently operational worldwide, with the fleet surpassing 721,000 flight hours as of late 2024. The program supports over 298,000 jobs globally, reflecting its significance not only in military terms but also as a major driver of economic activity.
Key Global F-35 Facts:
Production Scale: Lockheed Martin produces approximately 156 aircraft annually across three production lines in the U.S., Italy, and Japan.
Operational Reach: The F-35 operates from over 30 bases globally, ensuring a robust and responsive presence across regions.
Allied Integration: Partner nations, including the U.S., U.K., Italy, and Norway, share intelligence, logistics, and maintenance support, ensuring seamless collaboration.
What Sets the F-35 Apart?
The F-35’s design incorporates features that make it the most advanced multirole fighter in the world:
Stealth Technology: Its radar-absorbing materials and low-observable design allow it to penetrate heavily defended airspace.
Multirole Flexibility: Capable of executing air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic warfare missions in a single sortie.
Cutting-Edge Sensor Fusion: Its Distributed Aperture System (DAS) provides pilots with unparalleled situational awareness, tracking threats from every angle.
Advanced Upgrades: The TR-3 configuration, followed by the Block 4 upgrade, will further enhance its weaponry, data processing, and electronic warfare capabilities.
Denmark’s Vision for the F-35
By 2025, Denmark’s F-35s will assume partial air-policing duties, ensuring two aircraft are always ready to respond to any airspace incursions. By 2027, the entire fleet will replace the F-16, enabling Denmark to fully leverage the F-35’s advanced capabilities for national and allied missions.
Impact on NATO’s Strategic Posture
Denmark’s commitment to the F-35 program underscores its role as a reliable NATO partner. The aircraft’s advanced capabilities not only enhance Denmark’s national defense but also contribute to the collective security of the alliance. In the Baltic region, where tensions remain high, Denmark’s F-35s will play a pivotal role in deterring aggression and ensuring stability.
As Denmark integrates the F-35 into its military, it joins other NATO nations in embracing the future of air combat. This collaborative effort ensures that NATO remains a step ahead in safeguarding peace and security across Europe and beyond.
This Week in Aviation History
20 January 1930: The Birth of a Lunar Legend
On this day in 1930, Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Sr., an aviation executive, and Marion Moon Aldrin. Raised in Montclair, New Jersey, Aldrin excelled in academics and athletics at Montclair High School, setting the stage for an extraordinary career.
A Path to Greatness
Buzz turned down a full scholarship to MIT, opting instead for the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated third in his class in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After commissioning into the U.S. Air Force, he trained as a fighter pilot and flew the North American F-86 Sabre in the Korean War, completing 66 combat missions and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for shooting down two enemy MiG-15s.
Dr. Rendezvous
After the war, Aldrin pursued higher education, earning a Doctorate in Astronautics from MIT. His groundbreaking thesis on manned orbital rendezvous earned him the nickname "Dr. Rendezvous" and cemented his reputation as a leader in space navigation.
NASA and Apollo 11
In 1963, Major Aldrin was selected as an astronaut for NASA's Gemini Program. His spacewalks during Gemini XII set the stage for future extravehicular activities, showcasing his ingenuity and perseverance. On 20 July 1969, Aldrin, alongside Neil Armstrong, made history as the second human to set foot on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. His iconic image standing on the lunar surface remains one of the most celebrated moments in history.
Life After Space
After retiring from NASA in 1971, Aldrin served as Commandant of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. However, life after space exploration proved challenging. Aldrin openly shared his struggles with depression and the quest for purpose after achieving the extraordinary. Despite these challenges, he became an advocate for space exploration, authored several books, and continues to inspire future generations.
This Week in Aviation History: Highlights
Buzz Aldrin's Birth: 20 January 1930.
Achievements: Korean War hero, spacewalk pioneer, and Apollo 11 astronaut.
Legacy: A relentless advocate for the next frontier in human exploration.
Buzz Aldrin’s journey reminds us that reaching for the stars is possible with dedication, intellect, and courage.
In Case You Missed It
More about the F-35 and the Nordic Alliance:
Photo Outlet
Over the next year I will be releasing some of the best photos I took at the airshow, here is the next series:
Feel free to use these photos however you like, if you choose to tag me, I am @pilotphotog on all social platforms. Thanks!
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-Tog