Capabilities deployed by NATO allies to the main operating base, Šiauliai Air Force Base, to carry out Baltic Air Policing Mission tasks changed over at a formal ceremony on April 29: fighter detachment of the Italian Air Force handed over the mission to the Spanish Air Force.
“We are thankful to the soldiers of Italy for having completed the NATO mission with great professionalism, it was a success despite the global pandemic. Today we extend a warm welcome to the newly deployed soldiers of Spain, may the Baltic skies be clear and safe for you. Thank you for your dedication to safeguarding the Baltic security,” Vice Minister of National Defence Margiris Abukevičius said in the welcome address.
“The NATO Air Policing Mission is not a peacetime mission alone. It is also an obvious example of NATO readiness to defence this sector of the Alliance. The allied force presence here is a sign of Alliance-wide unity, stability, defence and deterrence. The importance of the Air Policing Mission to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will never wane out,” Vice Minister said.
The hand over ¬– take over ceremony was attended by the country Ambassadors, Major General Claudio Gabellini, Commander Deployable Air Operations Centre, on behalf of NATO AIRCOM, Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Col Dainius Guzas, and other honorable guests.
Spain will be providing security to the airspace of the three Baltic states for four months, with as many as seven Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets this time. Under command of Lt Col Bayardo Abos Alvarez-Buiza, the Air Force Detachment will conduct the eighth NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states of Spain.
The Spanish Air Force took over the mission from the Italian Air Force after two consecutive four-month rotations conducted with four Eurofighter Typhoons with since September. Italy will still be providing augmentation of the mission from the Amari Air Base in Estonia with 5th generation F-35s.
This rotation of the NATO Air Policing Mission will be enhanced by Turkey: the F-16s of its Air Force will be deployed to the Polish Air Force Base in Marlbork from mid-May to September. Last time Turkey safeguarded the Baltic airspace was during its deployment to Šiauliai in 2006.
Fighter aircraft conducting the mission fly sorties to identify and intercept Russian aircraft: most often such aircraft fly without the pre-filed flight plans, do not maintain radio communication and do not switch on their onboard transponders – against the International Civil Aviation Organization recommended practices.
The NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states has been conducted unceasingly since 2004.
Photo credits: A.Pliadis/MoD
