Ämari Air Base

Ämari Air Base, identified by ICAO code EEEI, is a military air base situated in Harjumaa, Estonia, approximately 7 km south of Lake Klooga and 37 km southwest of Tallinn. The base was opened in 1945, with construction occurring between 1940 and 1952 under an agreement between the Estonian SSR and the Soviet Union. Initially, it served as a naval reserve airfield for the Soviet Baltic Fleet, hosting amphibious seaplanes of the 69th Long-Range Reconnaissance Regiment and Yak-9P escort fighters. In 1952, it became the primary base for units stationed there. Historically, Ämari housed the 88th Aviation Regiment of Fighter-Bombers, operating aircraft such as the MiG-17, MiG-21 PFM, and MiG-27 D (K), before its relocation in 1984. The 321st fighter-bomber aviation regiment, flying Su-7B and later Su-24 aircraft, was also based there until its disbandment in 1994. During the Vietnam War, the base functioned as a training facility for Soviet pilots. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Air Force managed the base until it was transferred to Estonia in 1996. The Estonian Air Force's Air Surveillance Wing was established at the base in January 1998. Following Estonia's accession to NATO in 2004, Ämari Air Base was made NATO interoperable. Since April 2014, it has hosted NATO Baltic Air Policing patrols, with aircraft from various NATO nations, including Royal Danish Air Force F-16s and RAF Eurofighter Typhoons from IX Squadron. The base has a single runway, designated 06/24, measuring 2,750 meters with an asphalt/concrete surface. It is owned by the Estonian Defence Forces and operated by the Estonian Air Force.