July 30, air force detachments deployed to protect the Baltic skies as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission changed over at a ceremony at the Lithuania Air Force Base in Šiauliai. Spanish and Portuguese Allies were replaced by the Italian Air Force after four months in charge of security in the Baltic airspace. The Italian airmen will continue the mission with four Eurofighter Typhoons.
The rotation ceremony was attended by Vice Minister of National Defence Kamilė Gogelienė, Commander of NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Uedem Major General Harold Van Pee, Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Colonel Antanas Matutis.
“Started 20 years ago, the air policing missions are among the staunchest demonstrations of Allied NATO solidarity and commitment. In the ever-changing security environment, we have the same goal: a protected airspace. I thank the outgoing airmen from Spain and Portugal and I welcome the Italian Air Detachment here in Šiauliai to kick off their sixth tour of duty in the Baltic states,” said Vice Minister of National Defence K. Gogelienė.
The Italian Air Force will be flying its ninth NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states, and the sixth of them conducted from Lithuania. The incoming detachment is formed by approx. 200 troops – pilots, technical and medical specialists, support groups, communications specialists, etc.
The outgoing Spanish rotation was flying eight F-18 and the Portuguese – four F-16 Fighting Falcons. The entire strength of the mission amounted to approx. 300 military personnel. The Portuguese have finished their seventh deployment on the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states. The Allied military were also engaged in charitable activities in Šiauliai.
NATO Allies started rotating in troops and fighter aircraft to safeguard the Baltic airspace when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia became a member of NATO on 29 March 2004. The first Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets touched down in Šiauliai on the same day of the Lithuanian signature of the North Atlantic Treaty. Since then, 17 Allies have taken turns to protect the Baltic airspace in turns. The incoming rotation will conduct the 66 mission since its beginning in 2004.
Photo credits: SSgt A. Čemerka
