Six F-35s operating from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, ordered to NATO's eastern front by President Joe Biden Feb. 22, arrived to the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions Feb. 24 to reassure Allies as Russian forces move into Ukraine. “We are facing a dynamic environment, and the deployment of F-35s to NATO’s eastern flank enhances our defensive posture and amplifies the Alliance’s interoperability,” said Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, U.S. Air Force in Europe–Air Forces Africa commander, in a statement. The F-35s will join 24 F-15s and F-16s in Romania and Poland taking part in NATO Enhanced Air Policing Missions. USAFE said the aircraft, originally from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, will deploy “for a period of time” to the Baltics at Estonia’s Amari Air Base and Lithuania’s Siauliai Air Base, and the Black Sea region at Romania’s Fetesti Air Base.

More than 160 Russian mid-range ballistic and Caliber cruise missiles hit Ukrainian military targets across the country throughout Feb. 24 after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Russia was launching a “special military operation” in Ukraine, and a senior U.S. defense official assessed that Russia's intention is to "decapitate" Ukrainian leadership and install a pro-Russia government. Before dawn, Russia began a three-pronged land invasion and air attack from positions in Russia, Belarus, and occupied Crimea. Putin's forces seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power station and continue a seize on the capital of Kyiv. "It's our assessment that they have every intention of basically decapitating the government and installing their own method of governance," a senior defense official told Pentagon reporters. "We have seen indications that they are resisting and fighting back."

President Joe Biden announced new sanctions against Russia and ordered the deployment of 7,000 additional service members to Germany to reassure NATO allies after Russia invaded Ukraine, but the President withheld the most serious punishment, citing disagreement among European partners. “This is a dangerous moment for all of Europe, for the freedom around the world,” Biden said from the East room of the White House after a day that included a meeting with his National Security Council and G-7 world leaders. “It’s a large conflict already,” Biden said. “The way we're going to assure it's not going to spiral to a larger conflict is by providing all the forces needed in the Eastern European nations that are members of NATO.”

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in the early hours of Feb. 24, members of Congress issued a deluge of statements condemning the attack and calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities. Now, as the invasion continues to unfold, lawmakers are set to consider massive economic sanctions against Russia, as well as military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine in the coming days, all while watching carefully to see the ripple effects the conflict may have for Europe, NATO, and across the globe.

The Department of the Air Force’s annual Spark Tank competition takes place March 4, as six teams will take to the stage at the AFA Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. Each team will pitch the most senior leaders in the Air and Space Forces on how their innovations can save money, improve the lives of Airmen, and transform the department. Air Force Magazine is highlighting one team each day from now through March 3. Today, we look at “Custom Facemasks for Fighter Pilots and Beyond,” led by Maj. Ryan Sheridan from the 10th Air Base Wing at the U.S. Air Force Academy.