On September 30 air detachments reinforcing the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states changed over at the Lithuanian Air Force Base at Šiauliai. Airmen of the Czech Republic who had been reinforcing the mission for six months were replaced by Polish colleagues with four F-16 fighter aircraft.
For the coming two months the Polish Air Force will be supporting the Hungarian Air Force Detachment that currently leads the NATO Air Policing Mission with four JAS 39 Gripen. After that, Poland will take over the leading role.
“We are thankful to Hungary for their contribution to the security of the Baltic airspace. It is a critical deterrent to our region. The Polish Air Force is an active participant of the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states, it will be contributing to the efforts to ensure security in the region for the 11th time. It is a clear signal of deterrence and demonstrates Alliance solidarity,” Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas says.
The Czech Air Force was reinforcing the NATO Air Policing Mission for the past 6 months. Augmentations of the mission are flown by Germany from Amari in Estonia and by the Italian Air Force from Marlbork air base in Poland.
In response to the Russian aggression against the Ukrainian people, patrols along the Baltic airspace borders with Belarus and Russia has been added to NATO Air Policing in the Baltic states tasks aside from interceptions of Russian military aircraft that violate international aviation rules in international air space over the Baltic Sea.
NATO Allies added more capabilities, personnel and equipment, on 24/4 duty and patrols to the mission in the eastern flank of NATO as of March.
