North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Air Command
July 10, 2014
MIDTERM REVIEW OF BALTIC AIR POLICING
Ramstein, GERMANY: It’s been a good eight weeks since NATO’s Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission got underway. That being said, it’s time for a review.
Earlier this year, The North Atlantic Council (NAC) invited Allies to contribute to an enhanced Air Policing posture on the Eastern border of the Alliance. On 30 April, the Polish Air Force took over the mission as the lead nation at Siauliai, Lithuania. The United Kingdom is also in Siauliai, Denmark is in Amari, Estonia, and France is stationed at Malbork, Poland.
Since the four Allies took over the BAP mission, more than 50 so-called Alpha scrambles have been flown. This term refers to the launch of fighter jets from one of the bases in response to an unclear situation in the air. Reasons for such a launch include a civilian airliner in an emergency situation or a loss of radio communication with civilian Air Traffic Control. Scrambles were also conducted in response to the markedly increased Russian military air activity in the region.
Additionally, the Allied detachments executed more than 100 training scrambles to exercise procedures and skills of pilots, ground crews and air controllers in the region.
NATO’s Integrated Air Defence System is a cornerstone of collective defence. All member nations contribute in some form, be it through the use of national aerial surveillance systems, air traffic management, interceptor aircraft or other AD measures.
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“Four different nations delivering Baltic Air Policing with four different aircraft type from three different airbases in three different countries has not been without its problems; however, it has been great to see how people at all levels have risen to the challenge. Conducting operations and training alongside the three other deployments has provided really worthwhile opportunities for my pilots,” says Wing Commander Simon J Hulme, Royal Air Force, Commanding Officer 135 Expeditionary Air wing. “Delivering Baltic Air Policing is a cooperative endeavour and the support we are receiving from the Lithuanian Air Force, and from across the Baltic States, remains as strong as ever….”
While the Royal Danish Air Force is always ready to support the Alliance, our contribution to this NATO mission also demonstrates the historical ties Denmark has to the Baltic States,” says detachment commander Lieutenant Colonel Martin Lysemose. “We have received a fantastic support from the Host Nation making it possible for us the run our operations effectively.”
Story by HQ AIRCOM Public Affairs Office
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