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Missions Operations

Above the Baltic countries, NATO planes keep watch

(credit: French Air Force / 118)
(credit: French Air Force / 118)

(BRUSSELS2 to Vilnius) Aerial surveillance of the Baltic countries (Baltic air policing) is ensured in turn by the NATO countries: the Baltic countries do not have fighter aircraft capable of carrying out this mission. A kind of pooling and sharing before the hour. Each nation thus takes turns at the Siauliai base (Lithuania) for around 4-5 months: the French yesterday (from the 118 from Mont-de-Marsan), the Belgians today, the Americans tomorrow, etc. I wanted to know a little more by talking to soldiers who provided or provide this service.

A mission that is not quite routine

This little-known permanent mission could in fact take a more crucial turn if tensions with Russia resurface, particularly in the run-up to the signing of the association agreements with Ukraine (in November) and the strengthening of ties with Eastern Partnership countries. Point that Moscow considers with a suspicious eye.

A NATO chain of command

If everyone remains in control of posting a few caveats (employment restrictions) on this mission, " the rules of engagement are those of NATO”. The entire chain of command is that of NATO, with a chain of detection starting from the NATO radar and a joint regional monitoring center, located in Karmelava near Kaunas (Lithuania). This brings together the controllers of the three countries who have been trained for this and have taken control. The Baltics are very open. They want to learn as many things as possible, seek to upgrade. » The orders are given by the CAOC of Euden (Germany) which gives the take-off orders. The national authorities are however warned " every time we take off on a real mission ».

A variable intercept grid

The intercept grid "planes is enough" loan ". It varies however. That " depends on the nationality of the aircraft and the attitude of the aircraft”. For " some nationalities "(Nb: Americans for example), there are no plans for interception, " unless they don't have a suspicious or hostile attitude ". Interception is also done by all " usual means: sight reconnaissance, radio contact, etc. » Agreements have been negotiated with the Russians, with a corridor allowing the movement of transport equipment, in particular towards Kaliningrad. Clearly, it is the Russian planes - fighter or training - which are in the crosshairs. And overflows are not uncommon..." We're not really there because of Sweden and Finland! “says an officer ironically.

The area to cover

Despite the small size of the countries, the area to be covered is quite large and diverse. It covers the three FIRs (Flight Information Region) at sea and on land. That " makes an interesting surface ». The three countries contribute equally to the benefits. And to facilitate the logistical supply makes available to countries ensuring the permanence of rotations of C-27 J (the Lithuanians have 3 of them).

AirSurveillance ZonesFirBaltes@Eurocontrol
The three air information zones (FIR) of the Baltic countries

Interest: Training, multinational, low altitude

The advantage of this mission is to be able to train in a multinational environment. This gives " a good experience abroad for young people. Even though we're not here in Afghanistan, with flak vests and heavy helmets. The interest is to work with purely NATO procedures. » The pilots also practice high altitude and low altitude interception exercises. " We are also allowed to do low altitude (in Lithuania or Estonia). This allows you to continue doing hours of training »

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

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Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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