On 27 January 2014 two Italian Air Force fighter jets Eurofighter Typhoon and refueling aircraft Boeing KC - 767A landed at the Lithuanian Air Force Air Base. The main purpose of the visit was preparation for the NATO Air Policing mission in the Baltic countries. In the first quarter of 2015 Italy is going to send their first detachment to protect the Baltic States air space. During the training two Eurofighters were acquainted with Lithuanian climatic conditions and Italian team was introduced with local infrastructure - Quick reaction area (QRA) and the newly built headquarters building..
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NATO Air Policing mission was introduced by Lt. Col. Vidmantas Raklevicius, Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force Air Base and Lt. Col. Lendy Renegar of the U.S. Air Force, who is currently acting as the detachment Commander.
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Moreover, on 28 January 2014 Italians who were preparing for the mission and the U.S. troops were visited by the Ambassador of Italy Stefano Taliani de Marchio and the U.S. Ambassador Deborah A. McCarthy. Embassies representatives were introduced with the Air Base structure, activities, special gear and equipment. The officials also had a chance to watch the training (Tango) scramble and observe how much time and effort it takes for fighters to take off.
The U.S. team is the first detachment at the Lithuanian Air Force Air Base this year. After four months they will handover NATO Air Policing mission over the three Baltic States to the Polish Air Forces, which will continue the mission with four fighter jets MiG-29.
Info: Air base, photo - A. Glazauskas
