The Baltic air-policing mission is a NATO air defence Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) in order to guard the airspace over the three Baltic states of Estonia
An F-15C Eagle taxis to the fighter ramp during the 17th Baltic Region Training Event at iauliai Air Base, Lithuania, April 1, 2014. The event took place in the skies over the Baltic region to sharpen the skills of aircrews and air controllers from the U.S., Lithuanian and Swedish air forces. The event is designed to enhance the interoperability between allied partners in NATO and its Partnership for Peace program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
Within the Alliance, preserving airspace integrity is conducted as a collective task jointly and collectively using fighter aircraft for Air Policing. Air policing is a purely defensive mission. Since the 1970s, NATO has established a comprehensive system of air surveillance and airspace management means, as well as Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) assets for intercepts (QRA) provided by its member nations. By means of radar sites, remote data transmission, Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs) and Combined Air Operations Centres (CAOCs) the Alliance ensures constant surveillance and control of its assigned airspace 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. NATO exploits these facilities to react within seconds to air traffic incidents in the Allies’ airspace. This structure of weapon systems, control centres and procedures is referred to as the NATO Integrated Air Defence System (NATINADS). NATINADS has been and remains one cornerstone of Alliance solidarity and cohesion. The responsible Allied Air Headquarters are at Izmir, Turkey and Ramstein, Germany. The dividing line is the Alps. The Headquarters Allied Air Command Ramstein’s air area of responsibility is divided in two Air Policing Areas (APAs):
The Baltic Air Policing missions started in March 2004, first mission being conducted by the Belgium Air Force, flying F-16’s.
In September 2008 the first USAF Eagles deployed from RAF Lakenheath 493rd Fighter Squadron “Grim Reapers”, and again in 2010
In 2013, the Baltic patrol was called in when the Swedish Air Force was unable to respond to a simulated attack by Russian bombers against Stockholm.
During the 2014 Crimean crisis, the U.S. Air Force deployed six F-15C Eagle fighter jets from RAF Lakenheath to the Lithuanian Air Force Base near Šiauliai. These aircraft will augment the present mission comprising four U.S. F-15C Eagle aircraft. The U.S. heightened its NATO presence to increase the strength of the Baltic Air Policing mission. Another two U.S. KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft brought aircraft service personnel. In May 2014, NATO established its second air base in Estonia’s Ämari near Tallinn, beginning with a Danish deployment. Additionally in May 2014, Polish Air Force units at Malbork Air Base were reinforced by the French Air Force.
In September 2017 the 493rd Fighter Squadron Grim Reapers deployed 4 F-15C’s to Šiauliai, Lithuania in support of the Baltic Air Policing
Two U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle aircraft attached to the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi during a regional training event as part of Baltic Air Policing at iauliai Air Base, Lithuania, April 1, 2014. (DoD photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Two Swedish air force JAS-39 Gripen fighters taxi back to the ramp while participating in the 17th Baltic Region Training Event at iauliai Air Base, Lithuania, April 1, 2014. The event took place in the skies over the Baltic region to sharpen skills of aircrews and air controllers from the U.S., Lithuanian and Swedish air forces. The event is designed to enhance the interoperability between allied partners in NATO and its Partnership for Peace program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
A Eagle aircraft assigned to the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes off from Siauliai, Lithuania, March 19, 2014, as part of Baltic air policing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
U.S. airmen with a weapons load crew with the 48th Air Expeditionary Group mount an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-15C Eagle aircraft assigned to the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron March 19, 2014, as part of Baltic air policing in Siauliai, Lithuania. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
An 493 FS Eagkes prepares to take off for a training mission at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 10, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
An 493 FS Eagkes prepares to take off for a training mission at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 10, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
An 493 FS Eagkes prepares to take off for a training mission at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 10, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
An 493 FS Eagkes prepares to take off for a training mission at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 10, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
Maj. Charles Kistler, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, performs preflight checks at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2014, before a flight over the city of Siauliai as part of a Restoration of Independence Day celebration. The event marked 24 years since Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union. The U.S. Air Force assumed command of the NATO Baltic air policing mission for a four-month rotation from January to May of 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Keenan Kunst/Released)
A pilot from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron glances in the direction of his wingman prior to a Baltic Air Police sortie at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Aug. 31, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)
A pilot from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducts a pre-flight inspection of his aircraft prior to a Baltic Air Police sortie at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Aug. 31, 2017. U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)
A pilot from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron signals that he is good-to-go to his wingman prior to a sortie at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Aug. 31, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew)
Maj. Barak Amundson and Capt. Tyler Clark, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilots, walk to their aircraft at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
Lt. Col. Mark Sadler, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, performs preflight checks before takeoff at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014 (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
A 493rd FS Grim Reaper Eagle takes off at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
An 48th Air Expeditionary Group crew chief marshals an F-15C Eagle at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
