Romania ends Baltic Air Policing rotation

The Romanian Air Force has concluded its four-month deployment in Lithuania as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, officially handing over responsibility to incoming Hungarian and Spanish detachments at a ceremony held at Šiauliai Air Base, according to NATO Allied Air Command.

Since April 2025, the Romanian detachment, known as the Carpathian Vipers, has flown more than 400 hours, carrying out both operational sorties and multinational training activities alongside the Polish Air Force. The Romanian F-16s provided round-the-clock Quick Reaction Alert coverage, maintaining the security of NATO airspace over the Baltic region.

“Individually, we are just people. But together, we are the Carpathian Vipers – a team that embodies the professionalism, dedication, and sacrifice of the Romanian Air Force,” said Colonel Vasile Petrea, Detachment Commander. “Through our daily actions, we reaffirm Romania’s steadfast commitment to NATO and to the collective defence of the Euro-Atlantic space. We don’t just represent Romania. We represent the standards of the Alliance we are proud to be part of.”

🇵🇱🇷🇴 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 included participation in NATO exercises such as Ramstein Alloy, Hedgehog, and Baltops, designed to improve interoperability and regional readiness.

One Romanian F-16 pilot, callsign “Tatoo,” noted the intensity behind the mission’s success. “Behind each combat mission was intense work, supported by rigorous training, discipline and relentless effort, day and night, to achieve the proposed objectives without compromise.”

Romania has contributed to Baltic Air Policing since 2007 and has led the mission on multiple occasions. This latest rotation reinforces its role as a committed NATO Ally supporting the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture on the eastern flank.

The mission now continues under the leadership of Hungary and Spain, with Hungarian JAS-39 Gripens and Spanish EF2000 Eurofighter Typhoons assuming responsibility for the airspace.

NATO’s Air Policing mission ensures that the Alliance maintains control and surveillance over its airspace at all times, including for member states without their own dedicated air defence capabilities. The initiative is a key element of NATO’s collective defence and readiness framework.