Poland, Romania take over NATO's Baltic air policing mission in Lithuania

VILNIUS - Poland and Romania are taking over NATO's Baltic air policing mission at the Lithuanian Air Force's base in Siauliai on Monday.

"After eight months on duty, the French and Italian Air Forces will hand over the responsibility for security of the Baltic airspace to the Polish Air Force with four F-16 Fighting Falcons," the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said in a press release.

"They will be reinforced by the Romanian Air Force troops with F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets," it added.

Poland will be in charge of the Baltic air policing mission for the 13th time. This rotation will involve around 140 personnel, including pilots, technicians, medical staff, support teams, and specialists in communication and other areas.

Romanian Air Force personnel will carry out the mission for the third time. Their rotation will consist of around 110 specialists from various fields.

The outgoing Italian detachment was protecting Baltic airspace with four Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft. The French Air Force contributed four Rafale fighter jets.

NATO member countries have taken turns safeguarding Baltic airspace since Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the Alliance in March 2004. The NATO Baltic Air Policing mission is conducted from air bases in Lithuania and Estonia.