On March 5 and 6 Commanders of the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian Air Forces will conduct a meeting at the Headquarters of the Lithuanian Air Force in Kaunas. The meeting will be attended by Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Maj Gen Edvardas Mažeikis, Col Aivars Mežrs, Commander of the Latvian Air Force, and Commander of the Estonian Air Force Lt Col Jaak Tarien will address relevant points of the Baltic Air Forces, bilateral and trilateral projects underway, exchange offers on further enhancement of cooperation in the Baltic Air Forces.
Collaboration between the Baltic Air Forces is really intense. The most of cooperation between the countries is done through the implementation of the Baltic Air Surveillance Network and Control System (BALTNET) project.
The BALTNET system integrates national control and reporting posts in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, communication line and reporting (radiolocation) posts, Joint Control and Reporting Centre in Karmėlava (Kauno Distr.). The Centre employs personnel from all the Baltic States' Air Forces led by representatives of each of the Baltic States on a rotational basis. BALTNET is integrated with corresponding NATO systems and maintains round-the-clock operational pattern. The Centre has become an integral part of the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS) since 2004. NATO fighters deployed on the Baltic Air Policing mission are also controlled by the Joint Baltic Control and Reporting Centre in Karmėlava.
Work meetings of the Baltic Air Forces' Commanders are organised biannually by rotation in each of the Baltic States.
PR Officer for LITHAF 1st Lt Andrius Mika, phone no 00370 37 30 7652.
