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NATO fighters conduct training, intercepts in Baltic skies

Xinhua, August 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

The fighters from four Allied countries -- Norway, Italy, Belgium and the United Kingdom --have conducted roughly 200 training and real-life intercepts in the Baltic region on behalf of NATO since May, NATO said in a press release Wednesday.

NATO launched the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission to protect Baltic skies in 2004 when Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the Alliance. The mission helps NATO's Baltic Allies, who do not have fighter aircraft of their own, guard their air space.

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) on Tuesday handed over it's role in NATO's Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission to a German Air Force detachment during a ceremony held at Amari Air Base in Estonia.

The 38th rotation of the mission was led by Norwegian Air Force F-16 jets in May, with Italian Eurofighter Typhoon planes, Belgian F-16 fighters, and four RAF Eurofighter Typhoon stationing.

Germany will be the augmenting member of the 39th rotation of BAP at Amari Air Base.

"From a strategic level, the United Kingdom is keen to show that we, as a member of NATO, participate in NATO operations and that we are supporting our allies in Baltic Air Policing mission," said Wing Commander Stu Smiley of the RAF detachment at Amari. Endit