North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Air Command
December 22, 2014
Rotation of NATO BAP Mission Gets Underway
RAMSTEIN, Germany: Four NATO Allies are getting ready to deploy their fighter aircraft to the Baltic Region in support of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission.
Italian Eurofighter jets take over the lead role for the mission from Portuguese F-16s and Polish MiG-29s will replace Canadian CF-18s at Siauliai, Lithuania, while Spanish Eurofighters will arrive to take over from the German Eurofighters stationed at Ämari, Estonia, and the Belgian F-16s will relieve the Dutch F-16s at Malbork, Poland.
The BAP mission illustrates the Alliance’s ability to share the security responsibilities of the Baltic nations.
Spanish Air Force Eurofighter will replace German Air Force Eurofighters at Ämari Air Base, Estonia. Spain joins NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission for the first time. The four Eurofighters will be augmenting the mission of policing the skies over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. – Photo courtesy of the Spanish Air Force
The BAP mission started in April 2004 and has been executed continuously ever since. Allied nations regularly rotate the mission command as part of the Alliance’s collective defence agreement providing air policing jets in support of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
So far, 14 NATO nations have executed this mission. With Italy (lead nation) and Spain (augmenting nation) participating in the 37th rotation in 2015 this number increases to 16 Allies. In May 2014, NATO increased the number of fighter aircraft conducting Baltic Air Policing.
The new 37th rotation of NATO Baltic Air Policing will officially start in January 2015. More information well be available after an official ceremony on 31 December 2014.
Story by HQ AIRCOM Public Affairs Office
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