Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s to start Falcon Deploy exercise


On Wednesday 1 September, Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 lands at Evenes Airport to participate in exercise Falcon Deploy. The exercise is part of the preparations to prepare the F-35 for QRA preparedness based on Evenes from 1 January 2022.

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Royal Norwegian Air Force to start Falcon Deploy exercise

Exercise Falcon Deploy is a very important exercise for the Air Force, which will prepare the F35 as a system and the Air Force's base Evenes for the upcoming QRA mission. As early as January 2022, the F-35 will take over the mission after today's F-16, says Rolf Folland, Chief of the Air Force (Picture source: Royal Norwegian Air Force)


In weeks 35, 36 and 37, up to eight F-35s will participate based on Evenes. They will return to Ørland Airport on Wednesday 15 September.

There will be around 200 people who will participate in the exercise, in addition to those who already work at Evenes today. An F-35 detachment, air defense, and control and warning will be an integral part of the training.

Exercise Falcon Deploy is a very important exercise for the Air Force, which will prepare the F35 as a system and the Air Force's base Evenes for the upcoming QRA mission. As early as January 2022, the F-35 will take over the mission after today's F-16, says Rolf Folland, Chief of the Air Force.

During the period the fighter jets will be on Evenes, they will also train with sharp weapons on the planes and also use the Halkavarre firing range.

The exercise will lead to an increased level of activity around Evenes airport, during the day, evening and sometimes at night. The activity will have a larger scope than what will be the normal level from 1 January next year

Important exercise for Evenes

This is also a very important exercise for Evenes airport and 133 air wings.

- It is important to make pilots and support personnel from 132 air wings familiar with the local conditions at Evenes. At the same time, they will test their QRA concept from here and the deployment of materiel and people, says Colonel Eirik Guldvog, commander of 133 air wings.

Official marking F-35 and foundation stone laying P-8

In connection with the reception of the F-35 on Evenes on 1 September, an official marking will be carried out regarding the arrival of the first aircraft, as well as the laying of the foundation stone for the MPA building for the P-8 Maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). In this connection, the Minister of Defense and Chief of the Air Force will be present.

After the F-35 arrives in Evenes, the Minister of Defense will lay the foundation stone for the new building for the new P-8 maritime patrol aircraft that will arrive in 2022.


Royal Norwegian Air Force to start Falcon Deploy exercise 02 The P-8 is a capability that will help Norway improve anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue missions (Picture source: Boeing)