Jun 6 2020

Update for the French Air Force Detachment in Baltic Air Policing

RAMSTEIN, Germany - The French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 detachment augmenting NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission at Ämari, Estonia has been deployed for just over a month. Since their arrival the French pilots, controllers, maintainers and support staff have been busy conducting the mission to safeguard the skies over the three Baltic Allies.

During the last week of May, the French pilots and their Mirage 2000-5s were scrambled by Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem three times to meet Russian military aircraft and shadow them over international waters off the Estonian coast.

In addition the Mirage pilots conducted training flights with counterparts from the Spanish Air Force F-18s and the Royal Air Force Typhoons; both Allies are also part of the 53rd rotation of NATO’s Air Policing mission in the Baltic region.

The Mirages 2000-5 also flew interoperability training missions with Finnish Air Force F-18s and Swedish Air Force JAS-39s.

This is the eighth time France has deployed fighter aircraft to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. The mission also offers ample opportunities for deployed detachments to hone their flying skills while training realistic missions with Allies and Partners.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

A French Air Force pilot  getting into a Mirage-2000-5 in order to take off for a scramble. The NATO aircrew and fighters are on standby to fly Air Policing sorties and safeguard the Baltic airspace. Photo courtesy French Air Force/EMA.

Joint flying training of French Air Force Mirage 2000-5 (left) and Spanish Air Force F-18s allows both Allies' aircrews to fine-tune their tactics, techniques and procedures while employed on the NATO mission. Photo courtesy French Air Force/EMA

Interoperability training of Finnish Air Force F-18s (left) and French Air Force Mirage 2000-5s (right) showcases Partner-Allied cooperation and allows pilots to hone their flying skills . Photo courtesy Finnish Air Force.