French Air and Space Force Rafale fighter jets have deployed to Lithuania to lead NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, replacing a Spanish detachment.
Four Rafale aircraft are now operating from Šiauliai Air Base under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence system, maintaining Quick Reaction Alert duties to monitor and, if necessary, intercept aircraft approaching Allied airspace.
The deployment forms part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, which provides continuous air defence coverage for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The mission is conducted under the Eastern Sentry framework, which NATO says supports a more integrated and responsive air defence posture on the Alliance’s eastern flank.
“For our pilots and personnel, deploying to Lithuania is both a responsibility and a privilege,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Alexandre, chief of the French detachment. “Different aircraft, different nations, but one mission: to ensure the security of the Alliance.”
France’s latest rotation marks its ninth deployment to Lithuania, alongside previous contributions to the mission from Estonia. The French contingent is operating alongside Romanian Air Force F-16s also based at Šiauliai, creating a dual-detachment presence intended to strengthen surveillance and response capacity.
According to NATO, the combined deployment enhances operational flexibility, allowing Allied forces to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining a continuous presence in the region. The integration of different aircraft types within NATO command structures is also intended to demonstrate interoperability across Allied air forces.
The Baltic Air Policing mission remains a core element of NATO’s deterrence posture, with regular rotations of Allied aircraft designed to ensuree a persistent and credible defensive presence in the region.
any up to date news on the rescue of the downed US F15 WSO over Iran, by all accounts it was a bit of a cluster f*ck
It was successful… Might have cost some equipment but everyone is alive who gives a s*** will build more tomorrow
initial reports stated that American ground forces involved had taken casualties, Trump later stated that no ground forces had been lost, given that trump has a terrible habit of telling porkies, I might just have to stand by my earlier statement
It’s reported that a c130 version and a Bell rotor were destroying on the ground to prevent capture.. but it was only material losses and not personal, which in the end is more important.
It does take US aircraft losses to a fair shake through..
Lost is at
4 F15E
1 A10
1 E3
2 KC 135
17 MQ9 reapers
2 C130
Damaged
1 F35
6 KC 135
3 helicopters
But more than any of that it’s the pain of the 15 dead and many hundreds injured.because an aircraft can be replaced.
Now Jonathan. Imagine if that were Britain… the losses would catastrophic to the RAF.
Interesting Youtube the other day on HESCO being deployed from a container (old vid) but kind of makes the point that the septics could have done a lot more to protect assets from being damaged, perhaps they have sniffed too much of the Orange Aid.
Happy to hear the personnel all recovered to base and are now safe; as you write, RIP the dead and condolences to their families at the death of their kith and kin.
Rescued downed aircrew deep inside enemy territory during a high risk operation with no loss of life to the aircrew or rescue teams.
Interesting definition of a cluster ****.
You are precisely the reason Americans are celebrating the fact that, if nothing else, Operation Epic Fury has driven the nail in NATO’s coffin and Americans can finally withdraw from having to protect spineless, incompetent, soulless, parasite Europeans from themselves. Biggest foreign policy mistake in US history- saving Europe in 1917 and taking on a century long burden that wasn’t worth the cost.
Could you send the key setting for that? Thanks.
Not spineless, just having learnt a lesson about following the US in a merry dance around the world for twenty years dealing with whatever issue they’ve got their knickers in a twist about. Then, at a snap of a finger, suddenly they’re no longer interested and the entire effort was a waste of time, money and people because some dude wants to be leader for four years. Funnily enough, the Trump humpers were of the same opinion until just a few months ago. That’s poor leadership.
Telling the US to take a hike on this one seems the least spineless path.
humm – can you remind us which decisive battle the US defeated German that saved Europe during WW1?
Yet I bet that you won’t be withdrawing from EVERY base the US has in Europe, will you?
Especially the intelligence related ones and the ones that enable US power projection for its own interests, not Europes.
You’ll be hamstrung beyond reason, then Europe no longer buys your stuff and hopefully makes peace with China.
So enjoy you time as the worlds major power…we lasted 300 years, how long did you hold out?
Further, I think Legbye was actually responding with some surprise at the comment of the top poster, he wasn’t saying the operation was a cluster**** himself, so you’re commenting against the wrong poster.
And I say all this as a fan of the UKUSA relationship, and even of some of Trumps policies….but the rest and his behaviour is utterly deplorable for a world “statesman” and his abuse of long standing allies, insulting war dead, tariffs on all and sundry, threatening to invade friendly territory for US selfish aims, and lots else.
So off you go!
I take it we won’t be seeing YOU on this forum either shortly?
🤣🤣 damn that was quite a vent but spot on the end of the day we need America but they definitely need us and Europe still what Trump does not grasp.
You do feel this is the beginning of the end of their world dominance like most previous Empires they all expire eventually.
That’s correct I wasn’t saying that it had been a cluster f*ck just that initial reports stated that not only had the US lost aircraft but also aircrew and ground forces during the rescue operation and was asking if anyone had up to date news
The only reason “epic fury” has happened like it has is because of allied bases you moron.
Europe does not want or need you while you have the Epstein regime in charge.
You speak for exactly yourself. Do not think you even vaguely speak for other Americans. Better yet, don’t speak at all.
initial reports stated that American ground forces involved had taken casualties, Trump later stated that no ground forces had been lost, given that trump has a terrible habit of telling porkies, I might just have to stand by my earlier statement
You’re a sad bastard… Stay at home with no resources and b**** at everyone else. Clearly you have never been on the pointy end.. kind of a stay-at-home gimp.
Wow, that is really noteworthy…
French stepping up again for Europe. It’s a good thing they still have a functioning navy and air force.
Assuming your post is a dig at the UK, RAF Typhoons deployed to undertake the same policing role in Romania on 31st March 2026
Is that the same functioning Navy whose new class of SSNs is 7 years late and who had to weld the hull of the the Perle to the other half of the already retired Saphir because the former caught fire in dry dock , creating a Frankenstein SSN .
And yet, all of these is functioning.
All of these what are functioning ? Because 3 of the Suffren class are yet to enter service and Perle has never recovered from its two boats into one absurdity and will be retired officially this year ahead of its older sister boat Amethyste . That leaves 4 SSN submarines in service .
So absurd that it Will be decommissioned 6 years after the accident. There are actually 6 ssns functioning. You can try to focus on that 1 accident, we all saw rn mn has a much better availability rate than rn.
Perle did not return to service until July 2023 , three years after the incident , and was scheduled to rotate in the fleet until 2028 . This has not proved successful hence the decision to retire the boat this year . There are currently 4 boats commissioned & operational. Suffren, Duguay – Trouin , Tourville and the aging 2600t Améthyste .
That’s true, we are a bit short. We will have to deal with it for the time being. Right now, the focus is on ammunition. It is not pretty and sexy, but it will make us more « war ready ».
I hope progress are fine on GCAP, and as far as I know, they are well underway! Wish you the best on this program!
Thanks for this however I’m struggling to see the link beyween GCAP and my comments to our contributor about the French Navy?
French navy is doing fine. We have to buy defense against drones and they are purchased. We lack 3 frigates, most of which are slightly undergunned, so integration of CAMM into sylver launchers would be good. 2 SNLE and 1 or 2 additional attack submarines would be great. À lot of naval, air and submarines drones should be purchased. We don’t have any money for this. I would like to add a world coverage of satellite for detection and communication and of course 2 aircrafts carriers, and enough babies now to have enough sailors later. So, i guess, everything is fine in the French navy… What about the Royal Navy?
+ perle which is still active whether you like or not and de grasse in sea trial. I don’t see the issue in admitting mn is functioning and rn not which is a big problem for Europe: Hms dragon is going back home for repairs.
Dragon is still in the Eastern Mediterranean . Perle is not active. It’s a Frankenstein submarine and a mini one at that . I said operational which de Grasse is not. As a previous contributor said next year will see the King of non availability , the CdG enter its nuclear fuel renewal period for ANOTHER 2 years . 2 in every ten . The price of using non enriched uranium . Ah well that’s no carrier strike from France again . Dont . worry the RN will cover you
French ssns are patrolling british waters due to lack of astutes availability. RN Will cover on your PlayStation only.
No dig just fact that the French armed forces seem to be able to respond to European issues with speed when required. The UK armed forces is on its knees due to poor political leadership since turn of the century. Sad to see the once great RN and RAF down to a hand full of ships and squadron’s.
The RAF has considerably more assets deployed in the Middle East/Cyprus than France. One have one carrier. We’ll remind you what you have available when it’s all back in refit.
But the RAF have just started the same task in Romania and have done Baltic Air Policing numerous time.
So the French are doing exactly the same as the UK, and many other countries, have done on multiple occasions.
How does this show them as being ‘able to respond to European issues with speed when required’ in any different way to the UK?
So why did the RN take 2 weeks to send a destroyer to defend Cyprus and by comparison the French were able to send the naval assistance within hours.
What’s the RN and Cyprus got to do with sending FJ to conduct Baltic Air Policing?
If you read the earlier replies we were discussing the French being able to respond to European issues in a far speedier way. Not sure why that is proving to be controversial?
The sad fact is a considerable number of RN ships / subs are tied up waiting for upgrade / repair and even when they are back in service we do not have the crews to crew them. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The RAF is a shadow of its former self. A handful of front line squadrons and even some these aircraft are shared with the RN.
It is just a bad moment. It will improve soon.