During a NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission changeover ceremony on May 2 at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai soldiers of the Hungarian Air Force took over the lead of the mission from their colleagues of the Polish Air Force. A Spanish Air Force Detachment augmented the mission conducted from Lithuania and a British Royal Air Force Detachment – the mission conducted from Estonia.
“The symbolic 50th rotation of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission in Šiauliai begins with reinforced capabilities deployed by Hungary and Spain. We appreciate our NATO allies’ contributions to the mission that ensures the security and integrity of both, airspace of the Baltic states and the whole Alliance,” Vice Minister of National Defence Vytautas Umbrasas said.
The changeover ceremony is planned to be attended by Vice Minister of National Defence Vytautas Umbrasas, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Training and Doctrine Command Brig Gen Gintautas Zenkevičius, foreign ambassadors, representatives of the three Baltic states’ Air Forces, representatives of the town of Šiauliai, and other guests.
The Hungarian Air Force deployed four JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft to the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai for the mission period. It is the second time since 2015 a Hungarian Air Force Detachment is in the lead of the NATO Air Policing Mission conducted from Lithuania.
Spain deployed the augmentation of five F-18 fighter aircraft to Šiauliai Air Base. This is the sixth time Spain is contributing to the mission: in 2006 and 2016 the country had the lead of the mission in Lithuania, and in 2015, 2017, and 2018 it provided augmentations deployed to Estonia.
At the ceremony Vice Minister of National Defence V. Umbrasas thanked the Polish Air Force Detachment for impeccable performance and reliable protection of the three Baltic states’ airspace. “Poland remains to be one of the most active contributors to the air policing effort in the Baltic states and plans to participate as soon as 2020 again,” V. Umbrasas said.
The outgoing Polish Air Force Detachment were protecting the Baltic skies with four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft. The mission was manned by approx. 130 soldiers – pilots, technical and medical personnel, supports teams, communications and other specialists.
While deployed in Lithuania, the Polish soldiers engaged with the community of Šiauliai, hosted tours of students and schoolchildren, took part in the town events, and the celebration of Lithuania 15th anniversary of NATO membership together with Lithuania colleagues.
It is a special rotation of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states – it is the 50th time the mission is conducted over the 15 Lithuania’s years in the Alliance. NATO has been providing Air Policing for the Baltic states which do not have suitable air capabilities of their own non-stop since 2004 – when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia became members of the Alliance. 17 NATO members have conducted the mission already since then.
The changeover ceremony in Šiauliai was also attended by Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Training and Doctrine Command Brig Gen Gintautas Zenkevičius, foreign ambassadors, representatives of the three Baltic states’ Air Forces, representatives of the town of Šiauliai, and other guests.
Photo credits: Antanas Gedrimas (LITHAF Air Base)
