For the first time, NATO Air Policing jets are flying out of Latvia.
A detachment of German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons are currently based at Lielvarde Air Base, where they’re tasked with ensuring the safety and security of the airspace over and around Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Since deploying earlier this year, the German fighters have intercepted Russian aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea 10 times. NATO aircraft assigned to the Baltic Air Policing mission, regularly intercept Russian aircraft when they don’t use transponders to identify themselves or fail to respond to hails from air traffic controllers, meaning they appear on radar simply as an unidentified contact. NATO air commanders often order scrambles to identify the radar track, observe its behaviour and ensure that it does not pose a threat to NATO Allies.
The Baltic Air Policing mission is led from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, where the Spanish and Portuguese Air Forces currently have fighters deployed. An additional nation usually covers the Baltic Sea from Ämari Air Base in Estonia, but fighters are temporarily stationed in Latvia while the Estonian Air Force improves the runway.
Click here to download the broll. Shots include Eurofighter Typhoons conducting a demonstration scramble during a media day, and an interview with German Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Swen Jacob, Detachment Commander, Baltic Air Policing.
