Home  /  Newsroom  /  2024  /  20 years of Baltic Air Policing - strong symbol of NATO cohesion and solidarity

RAMSTEIN, Germany - On 29 March 2004, the first NATO fighter jet – a Belgian F-16 touched down at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, to begin 24/7/365 Quick Reaction Alert Duties under NATO’s new Baltic Air Policing mission. The airspace over the three Baltic States was integrated into NATO airspace after the accession of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania that year. 

NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem, Germany, has been responsible leading the mission under the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). Seventeen Allies have since taken turns to safeguard and preserve the integrity of the Baltic States’ airspace by deploying fighter detachments to Šiauliai, and – since 2014 – also to Ämari, Estonia.

For 20 years, since Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined NATO in 2004, the principle of collective defence has been rolled out to the Baltic States, and Baltic Air Policing has epitomised NATO’s one-for-all-all-for-one promise, solidarity and cohesion among Allies.

Allied fighter jets flying over the Baltic Sea are a strong symbol of what our great NATO Alliance has represented for 75 years: A success story of an organisation that ensures collective security and promotes stability and peace

"On a daily basis, Allied fighter jets flying over the Baltic Sea – that is now surrounded by NATO Allies – are a strong symbol of what our great NATO Alliance has represented for 75 years: A success story of an organisation that ensures collective security and promotes stability and peace for one billion people in 32 member States," said General James Hecker, Commander of Allied Air Command.

In 2014 – following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crime – NATO activated Ämari Air Base, Estonia, as a second base for enhanced Air Policing in the region.

In early 2022 – again in response to Russia’s brutal and aggressive war in Ukraine, NATO introduced enhanced Vigilance Activities and the Air Shielding mission. These efforts are aiming to strengthen Air posture. They provide additional Integrated Air and Missile defence capabilities to deter and – if required – defend NATO territories along the eastern flank.

From March to November 2024, NATO jets will conduct the mission out of Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, while Ämari Air Base is undergoing runway repair work.