On January 2 four F-16 fighter-jets of the Danish Air Force will land at the Šiauliai Air Base to replace personnel of the Czech Air Force currently conducting the Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia with JAS-39C Gripen.
Denmark will deploy its air capabilities to take part in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission for the fourth time. Danish Air Contingent will replace the Czech troops who have been in charge of the mission since August 31. The Danish Air Contingent is deployed from the Skrydstrup Air Base of Denmark.
The official rotation ceremony will be held at the Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force on January 3.
On February 8, 2012 the North Atlantic Council adopted a decision to extend the Baltic Air Policing mission indefinitely.
NATO took over the responsibility for the security of the Baltic airspace in March 2004 when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia entered NATO. As the Baltic States do not possess air assets suitable for an independent airspace protection, NATO allies deploy their national capabilities on a rotational basis to conduct the Baltic Air policing mission from the Šiauliai Air Base of the Lithuanian Air Force.
The Baltic airspace has been protected by air personnel of Belgium, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States of America, Poland, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Romania, Turkey and Germany so far.
Aircraft deployed on the Baltic air policing mission maintain readiness to conduct scramble and take deterrent or other actions against transgressors of the Baltic airspace.
For the media:
Media representatives willing to take video footage of F-16 landing should register before January 2, 16.00 hrs at 00370-41 59 21 51 or e-mail ieva.gulbiniene@mil.lt (Air Base).
