North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
September 2, 2014
PORTUGUESE AND CANADIAN FIGHTERS COMMENCE BALTIC AIR POLICING DUTIES IN LITHUANIA
Pilots and aircrew from Portugal and Canada formally assumed responsibilities for Baltic Air Policing at a ceremony held at Siauliai Airbase, Lithuania on 1 September. They join German crews who recently began patrolling from a base in Estonia and a Dutch team that will begin training with the Polish Air force in a few days.
Several distinguished visitors, together with national and military representatives, attended the official ceremony in Lithuania where Poland and the United Kingdom passed on their Air Policing responsibilities to Portugal and Canada. Last week, Germany replaced Danish fighters in Amari, Estonia and later this week The Netherlands will take over responsibilities from France in Malbork, Poland. A total of 18 fighters under NATO command will be present in Eastern Europe as a part of the Alliance’s assurance measures.
“This is the first time the Canadian Air Force is executing this mission in the Baltic States,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Pletz, detachment commander of the CF-18 Hornet fighters in Siauliai, Lithuania. “I look forward to working together with our NATO partners for the next four months and thank the host nation for the terrific support,” he said.
Canadian CF-18 aircraft were previously conducting training and readiness missions with NATO Allies in Romania and have recently relocated these assets to Lithuania. The Canadian fighters will augment the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission from September to December.
“It is an important mission, not only to protect the integrity of NATO’s airspace but also a perfect example of cohesion, reinforcement and solidarity within the Alliance,” said Lieutenant General Joao Lopes Da Silva, Portuguese Air Force Commander. “Together with our NATO partners we’re fully committed to maintain this high readiness force in the Baltic states. With Portugal as the leading Nation, we will exploit this opportunity as much as possible to work, cooperate, train and support the Baltic Nations and our NATO nations Canada, Germany and The Netherlands to increase interoperability and mission efficiency.”
In light of the current situation in Ukraine, NATO Allies have provided additional aircraft to preserve the integrity of sovereign airspace in the Baltic states. These Air capabilities are part of a wide range of military measures that reinforces NATO’s collective defence and demonstrates the strength of Allied solidarity. The four NATO Nations will support NATO Reassurance Measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks.
“This is undoubtedly a team key effort of all NATO members,” said Lieutenant General Joachim Wundrak, Commander of the Combined Air Operations Center in Uedem.
Story by: Aircommand Ramstein Public Affairs office
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