From the beginning of 2010 the Baltic States are increasing host nation support for participants of NATO Baltic Air-policing mission for up to six flights of LAF transport aircraft C-27J „Spartan" to airlift troops on mission and loads. Expenses of additional flights „Spartan" will be paid in even parts by all the three Baltic States.
The first state to use the new opportunity was France currently in charge of NATO Baltic Air-policing mission. On February 2-3 transport aircraft C-27J „Spartan" of Lithuanian Air Force flew to and back from France changing shifts of personnel and load of the French Armed Forces.
The new commitment of the Baltic States was allowed for in the agreement signed by the Baltic Defence Minister in November 2007 stipulating that Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia agree to share a part of costs related to the NATO Baltic Air-policing mission.
The decision to increase the host nation support to participants of NATO Baltic Air-policing mission is aimed at creating better conditions for foreign contingents guarding the Baltic skies and prolong the mission. In August 2009 NATO agreed to prolong the mission till the end of 2014.
Currently Lithuanian Air Force has three tactical transport aircraft C-27J „Spartan" purchased from Italian „Alenia Aeronautika S.p.a" Enterprise in its possession. The first C-27J „Spartan" landed in Šiauliai military airfield in the end of 2006, the second - in the beginning of December of 2008, and the third one arrived in October last year. C-27J „Spartan" are used for transportation and airdrop of troops and loads, medical airlift, and other tasks.
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