At Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, the roar of fighter jets is part of daily life and part of NATO’s ongoing commitment to Baltic security, according to a NATO multimedia update.
Since March, Polish and Romanian F-16s have been deployed under NATO command as part of the Baltic Air Policing mission, which ensures any aircraft approaching Allied airspace is identified and, if necessary, intercepted. This is Poland’s 13th rotation on the mission, while Romania’s “Carpathian Vipers” are on their third.
🇵🇱🇷🇴 Polish and Romanian F-16s are patrolling Baltic skies from Lithuania as part of NATO’s air policing mission. Flying from Šiauliai, the jets stand ready to intercept any unidentified aircraft near NATO airspace 24/7. #NATO #BalticAirPolicing pic.twitter.com/IRVflDropq
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) August 1, 2025
The deployment comes amid continued Russian air activity near NATO borders, placing added importance on maintaining a persistent and credible presence in the region. Colonel Vasile Petrea, commander of the Romanian detachment, said the task is both predictable and urgent.
“Most of the time those are Russian Federation jets or cargo or reconnaissance aircraft and they’re flying either training either special missions, I would say, and every time they’re getting too close from NATO airspace, we have to be in the air, so we are there.”
Pilots and ground crews are on standby around the clock. Lieutenant Colonel “Shooter,” commanding officer of the Polish detachment, explained the level of readiness required. “We are ready 24/7 here. The pilots, maintainers that are sitting here for this four-month period that we stay here in Šiauliai, Lithuania, we are ready to launch our aircraft in no time. There are personnel dedicated to monitor the situation, what’s going on, on the screens, so we can know early and so we can act early and make us do stuff that will prevent any accident, that will prevent any other bad situation happening.”
While the day-to-day work may appear routine, both commanders emphasized that the mission is a visible expression of NATO solidarity and deterrence. “It’s not about only the Baltic airspace, it’s about NATO airspace,” said Colonel Petrea. “We’re staying together, we’re fighting together and protecting each other, whatever is needed. So that’s important. It shows commitment of NATO for all the states.”
Asked what message he would share with Lithuanians, Petrea pointed to a shared experience shaped by geography and history. “Having a kind of history together, being in the eastern influence, I would say we share some feelings about how it was and how we are willing to protect the democracy and we have it at this moment.”
The Baltic Air Policing mission has operated continuously since 2004. Its presence remains a core component of NATO’s collective defence posture on the eastern flank.
I think NATO should stop pussy-footing about and close the Suwalki Gap. the US General Chris Donahue recently observed that given the order, NATO could seize Kaliningrad and close the gap in a matter of hours. It seems that some serious NATO planning has already been undertaken
All we are doing in eastern Europe is reacting to Russian aggression – and providing Ukraine with just enough materiel to defend themselves. It’s not possible to win a war by being on the defensive. This war has gone on long enough. The much vaunted Russian summer offensive has failed. Go for it, Gen Donahue
NATO could seize Kaliningrad and start World War III. Great idea! We haven’t had a world war in years and we’ve never had a global thermonuclear war, could be fun, eh?
NATO needs to seize the Suwalki Gap to secure lines of cummunication to Lithuanis, Latvis and Estonia. Putin, the war criminal has already moved military assets to the borders of the Baltic states. The Americans have obviously already done the planning. They have a new base in Poland and the forces needed are already in place
As for starting WW3, it must be obvious to you that it’s already begun. Strategically, NATO needs to secure the Gap. The whole world has been under the threat of thermonuclear war for at least 60 years, so what’s new?
Your post stinks of cowardice. If NATO does’nt do it first, Russia will.
David, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you’re being mischievous. Because you must know that NATO would never do that, unless and until the shit between them and Russia hits the fan.
At the moment, NATO has the Russia Bear where it wants it – distracted by a long and draining war in Ukraine. There’s no upside in sticking a cattle prod up the Bear’s arse; that would generate a lot of very smelly shit!
Putin only onderstands strength. I’m all for sticking the cattle prod up his stinking arse. This week he bravely bombed a maternity hospital in Kyiv. Every night Putin is ordering more civilian bombing, he’s built whole factories to make the Shahed drones from the design the Ayatollahs gave him. He’s been using ballistic missiles against civilian targets all year. Putin is not interested in peace whatsover.
Better NATO fights Russia 2000 miles to the east than on the beaches here. It’s time Putin realises that an enlarged NATO has had enough of his naked agression. We are already at war with Russia anyway. Let’s call his nuclear bluff
David, with respect, your reply to Richard was uncalled for and is not what I for one consider appropriate on UKDJ.
Having said that, I fully understand and share your anger about what Putin is doing to the Ukrainians. It’s disgusting. But he’s not winning in any meaningful way, and he currently poses no real military threat to us.
By all means fight an economic war with Putin (and we should), but why go hot and risk an extra hundred thousand European lives when it’s not needed? It’s not cowardice to say this, it’s common sense.
That’s me done for the night. Happy to carry on tomorrow, but it will be between watching the Lions, the cricket, and the Grand Prix qualifiers.
There is real history between the Poles and Lithuanians, sharing Duchy that extended into Latvia – Daugavpils has Polish history.
Tenuous on the Romanian one, except for trade routes and a ‘love’ of communism…
Would be great to see a US or other F16 unit rock up and all become more interchangeable – not mentioned for a common platform – and, competition minded.
Safe skies gents.