The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) reactivated the Bardufoss Air Station earlier this month after a gap of 40 years.

A batch of F-35A Lightning II fighter jets will be housed at the mountain base, featuring upgraded hangars and facilities.

The northern Norwegian base is meant to act as a natural shield for the air assets against possible enemy air attacks.

“The deteriorating security policy situation and the war in Ukraine mean that the Air Force must become sharper,” head of the Joint Air Operations Centre (JAOC), Brigadier Tron Strand said.

“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 defense for Evenes and Orland Air Base – this is part of our long-term planning.”

Agile Combat Employment

The base is also primed for increased Norwegian and Allied fighter aircraft activity in the region as part of the NATO’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept.

“Bardufoss Air Station plays an important role in the further development of Norwegian, Nordic and Allied Air Power,” Brigadier Strand added.

“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.”  

Mountainous Protection 

Survivability is one of the principles of the ACE concept of air maneuver, namely agility, interoperability, continuity of air operations, and operational readiness.

Bardufoss goes well with the principle, which combines operational air bases with temporary operational bases and their physical protection.

Greater Role

Norway’s oldest operating air station was opened in 1938 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,” commander of 131 Air Wing Colonel Eirik Stueland said.

“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.”