RC-135V/W Rivet Joint performs an unprecedented mission in Europe - a US strategic aircraft flies along the Finnish-Russian border

The American RC-135V/W Rivet Joint strategic aircraft made its maiden flight in Finnish airspace. Such missions may become routine after Suomi is admitted to NATO.

Here's What We Know

In its debut combat flight in Finnish airspace, the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint flew along almost the entire border with Russia. The Finnish Defence Forces said the aircraft was the first US military manned/unmanned reconnaissance-level aircraft to complete a planned mission in Finnish airspace. The manoeuvres were coordinated with the government.

The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint with serial number 62-4131 departed from the UK Royal Air Force's Mildenhall air base. It crossed the British Channel and flew over the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia before entering Finnish airspace. All countries (except Finland) are members of NATO.

The aircraft made several loops along the Russian border and came within a few tens of kilometres of St. Petersburg. The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint then returned to the British Air Force base along the same route.

The purpose of the mission remains unknown at this time. The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is equipped with sensors that allow it to learn information about enemy air defence radars, including their location.

This data could be of interest to NATO, the US and Finland. Last year, Russia announced the withdrawal of troops from the Finnish border. They were redeployed to Ukraine. At the same time, the Russian defence ministry declared its desire to establish a large land formation in the Republic of Karelia.

In addition, a US RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft could gather information in the Gulf of Finland. This is the only way for Russian ships to enter the Atlantic Ocean by transiting the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Source: The War Zone