2012-10-29 Troops of Czech Air Force which are participating in NATO Air Policing mission over Baltic States started a new tradition in Lithuanian Air Force Air Base - to plant their national tree in the NATO countries' alley of trees. Czech troops planted a lime tree. Hopefully that this new tradition will establish like this planted lime tree. First tree in alley of trees was planted by commanders and representatives of Czech and Lithuanian Air Forces units.
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The 4-month duty period in the Baltic Air Policing mission is implemented by over 60 troops of the Czech Air Force, the majority of which come from the 21st Tactical Air Base in Čáslav. The Czech unit is under the command of Col Petr Lanči, Commander of the 21st Tactical Air Base of the Czech Air Force. The Czech contingent is deploying in Šiauliai with four Jas-39C "Gripen" fighters which have been used by the country's Air Force since 2005. Troops of the Czech Republic are conducting the Baltic Air Policing mission for a second time. They have already been ensuring the security of the Baltic skies in May-August of 2009.
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NATO Air Policing mission the Baltic States has already been conducted by Belgian, Danish, Czech, UK, Spanish, U.S., Polish, Norwegian, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Romanian, Turkish, and German air contingents. The air assets deployed on the mission maintain a permanent readiness posture to scramble at short notice and take deterrent of other actions against the trespassers.
Text Air Base
Photos A. Tamošiūnas
