Baltic air policing mission complete

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephen Linch
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LITHUANIA AIR FORCE AIR BASE, Lithuania --  The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, relinquished command of the NATO Baltic air policing mission to the German air force at Lithuania Air Force Air Base here Jan. 5.

The squadron, comprised of approximately 125 people, assumed responsibility for Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian air sovereignty from the Polish air force Sept. 1, 2010.

During their deployment, the 493rd EFS accomplished 66 training sorties and two real-world sorties identifying three unknown aircraft.

"I am very pleased to mark the end of a successful deployment of the third Baltic air policing mission from the United States," said Anne Hall, deputy chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania. "This is the third time that [the U.S. Air Force] and the second time the 493rd EFS has protected the Baltic air space."

"We have continued the legacy of uninterrupted protection of Baltic airspace, and we could not have done it alone," said Lt. Col. Skip Pribyl, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, mentioning the support the Lithuanian air force provided the 493rd EFS.

"Our team of maintainers, operators, communicators and barrier maintainers has preserved the sovereign skies of the Baltic nations," said Colonel Pribyl. "This is our mission - this is what F-15Cs do."

Senior Master Sgt. Alvydas Tamosiunas, a Lithuanian air force specialist of foreign affairs, emphasized their appreciation for the 493rd EFS's commitment to the Baltic air policing mission.

"There is a saying, if you want peace, prepare for war," said Sergeant Tamosiunas. "We do not have the means to defend ourselves ... That is why we ask NATO members to contribute fighters.

"The guys who came from Lakenheath were perfect (in performing the Baltic air policing mission)," he continued. "It was great to work with them."

Along with performing the Baltic air policing mission, Airmen from the 493rd EFS also did a variety of community outreach events ranging from visiting local orphanages to organizing sporting events with host nation members and Lithuanian children.

"The Grim Reapers accomplished many great deeds," said Mrs. Hall, speaking about the community outreach. "By reaching out into the community, you helped spread American diplomacy."

She concluded by saying, "Thank you for sharing your values and our customs and what is the very best of America."