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RAMSTEIN, Germany – Senior civilian and military representatives from Lithuania, several Allies and NATO gathered at Šiauliai, Lithuania for a handover ceremony marking 20 years of Baltic Air Policing also marking 20 years of Lithuania's membership in NATO.

At a time when we face uncertainty and unpredictability, our unity sends a clear message – NATO is capable, modern and if required ready to defend every inch of Allied territory

“Today is a very special day, and Šiauliai is a very special place; 20 years ago, the first allied fighter jets landed here,” said His Excellence Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania. “At that moment, a long and difficult journey was completed. Lithuania finally joined the NATO family united by love for freedom and democracy, by trust and respect, and by our commitment to each other. Lithuania chose to become part of the Western collective security and defence,” he stated, adding: “ it was the best decision Lithuania took, the best investment we have ever made. It has also brought us the best friends one could have. Thank you for being together.”

“Twenty years ago, Lithuania marked a pivotal moment in its history by joining and becoming a full-fledged members of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance together with Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia,” said Admiral Joachim Rühle, Chief of Staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO’s strategic command that plans, coordinates and oversees Alliance operations. “This was a milestone for both national and collective security,” he said also referring to the fact that “this year mark NATO’s 75th Anniversary – for three quarters of a century, NATO Allies have worked together to keep one billion people safe. At a time when we face uncertainty and unpredictability, our unity sends a clear message – NATO is capable, modern and if required ready to defend every inch of Allied territory,” the Admiral added.

NATO formations were lined up in front of their jets as the Lithuanian President H.E. Gitanas Nausėda opened the ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base. Marking the handover of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission after 20 consecutive years, the Belgian and French commanders handed the key to the Baltic Air Space over to the Spanish and Portuguese commanders when French Mirage 2000-5 fighters performed a fly past. NATO's senior representative, Admiral Joachim Rühle, Chief of Staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, and the Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, General Valdemaras Rupsys during the event. The Belgian Air Force was the first NATO detachment to begin the mission at Šiauliai in March 2004 under the command of Major General Harold Van Pee, who is today the Commander of NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany, controlling Baltic Air Policing. Photos: Alfredas Pliadis (8) and Portuguese Air Force (1).

Re-enacting what happened on March 29, 2004, a Belgian F-16 fighter jet touched down at the Lithuanian Air Force Base. After taxiing to an apron, the pilot stepped out of the cockpit and handed the NATO flag to Major General Harold Van Pee – now the Commander of NATO’s Northern Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Uedem, Germany, then the commander of the first Belgian fighter detachment conducting NATO Air Policing.

General Van Pee presented the Alliance’s flag to the Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania who handed over the flag to the President of the Republic of Lithuania commemorating the moment of accession.

Beginning moments after Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the Alliance at the end of March 2004, the collective peacetime mission of Baltic Air Policing has since continued seamlessly . Lithuania has hosted 64 consecutive rotations of Allied fighter jets. Seventeen Allies have taken turns deploying their fighter jets in consecutive detachments safeguarding the skies over the Baltic Sea and, most recently contributing to Allied deterrence and defence on the Eastern Flank.