U.S. Air Force to lead NATO Baltic Air Policing mission

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  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (Aug. 22, 2017) – The U.S. is scheduled to deploy F-15C Eagles, Airmen and associated equipment from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, U.K., to support the next NATO Baltic Air Policing rotation at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania.

The aircraft are scheduled to arrive on or about Sept. 1 and will remain deployed through the end of this calendar year.

Air Policing is a standing NATO peacetime task designed to preserve the integrity of allies' sovereign airspace. This marks the fifth rotation in which the U.S. has supported this mission to protect Baltic airspace, and it demonstrates a long-standing commitment to this NATO mission.

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Media are invited to attend the Baltic Air Policing Handover-Takeover ceremony on Aug. 30, 2017, at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania.

Gen. Tod D. Wolters, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; U.S. Air Forces Africa; and NATO Allied Air Command commander, will preside over the ceremony where Poland will turnover lead of the mission to the United States.

Media interested in attending this event should contact the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs Office by midnight Aug. 24, 2017 in order to receive media accreditation instructions for the event. Accreditation forms and documents will need to be turned into the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense no later than noon Aug. 25, 2017.

Email usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or call +49 (0) 6371-47-6558 for instructions.