At Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, the handover ceremony was held between the outgoing contingent – a mixed Spanish and Portuguese composition – and the incoming Italian one.
The Iberian commanders, the Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Estrada Martin and the same level José Nuno De Sousa Monteiro Dias, they delivered to the Colonel Michele Nasto the “”Key to the Baltics", which metaphorically marks the handover of the air defence device in the north-eastern region of NATO.
Numerous Lithuanian, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian civil and military authorities attended the ceremony.
“The air policing mission, launched 20 years ago, is one of the strongest commitments demonstrating NATO allies' cohesion. While the situation is continually evolving, our objective remains the same: a secure airspace. I thank the Spanish and Portuguese contingents who have completed the mission and welcome the Italians to Šiauliai.“ stated the Deputy Minister of National Defence Kamile Gogelienė.
The Italian ambassador in Vilnius, Emanuele De Maigret, highlighted how the Italian commitment is a top priority in the mission in the region: “Today, Italy takes over command of the Baltic air mission for the ninth time since 2004. We are the leading contributor in terms of personnel and assets on NATO's eastern flank, having deployed over 3,000 men and women in air, land, and naval contingents to date. The implementation of new regional plans for the defence of allied territories is of paramount importance, and Italy's commitment to this objective is resolute. In this highly complex international scenario, Italy is a player of stability and growth..”
The Commander of the Air Task Force (ATF) Michele Nasto, In his speech at the ceremony, he indicated how: “I believe it is my duty to summarise the firm points with which all Italian personnel will operate in this delicate and complex geopolitical scenario. First of all, our work will be based on respect for those who host us and provide us with daily support, for all our predecessors, and for those we will represent with our service, from NATO partners to our Homeland, its institutions, its citizens, our tricolour flag. [……] The team spirit that has always characterised the work of’Italian Air Force will be a decisive element in this ambitious challenge which cannot have setbacks or hitches because producing operational effects is part of our being and has always been the most authentic expression of our projection capabilities. [...] Finally, awareness and attention to face every situation with tactical professionalism, operational competence and institutional exemplary conduct..”
The highest Italian military authority was the Air Force General Claudio Gabellini Commander of the Aerospace Operations Command (COA) of Poggio Renatico, representing the Commander of the Joint Operations Command (COVIwhich is the High Defence Command responsible for the planning, coordination and direction of joint exercises and operations at national and international level.
General Gabellini, after having greeted the Italian contingent the previous day Task Force Air 4th Wing who completed the mission in Malbork Poland for Enhanced Air Policing activities to protect NATO's eastern flank, he wished to meet the men and women engaged for the coming months in the Air Task Force in Šiauliai. Addressing the personnel he stressed: “As you know, these are complex times and we live in a world full of uncertainties. In such a world, we need level-headed people, people who work diligently. In this scenario, you represent the best the Air Force has to offer, and each of you must take your professionalism to even higher levels. Continue to express excellence, to radiate excellence, because that is the only way to achieve your goals. We are Italians, and this is how we work. You have all my praise and all my admiration.“.
The TFA is equipped with aircraft Eurofighter Typhoon (F-2000) from the 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle, 4th Wing of Grosseto, 37th Wing of Trapani and 51st Wing of Istrana.
The NATO Air Policing It is a peace mission aimed at preserving the security of the Alliance's airspace. It is a collective task that involves the continuous presence – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – of fighter aircraft and crews, ready to react quickly to possible airspace violations. Its purpose is the defensive protection of the Alliance's skies and deterrence towards possible threats to the security of NATO member countries.
The Baltic Air Policing, In particular, it is a NATO mission in effect since April 2004; to date, 17 Allies have participated in safeguarding the airspace of the Baltic Republics: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The purpose of the mission is to demonstrate the collective determination of the Allies to maintain a defensive, solid, and cohesive posture, deterring potential security threats in the regional area of responsibility. Italy is the nation that has contributed most to Baltic Air Policing; since 2015, it has had nine deployments, and in addition to these, our nation has commitments defending the Alliance's borders in the skies over Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Albania, and Montenegro.
