At the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai, the Handover-Takeover ceremony took place between the Italian contingent of the Air Task Force 36?? Wing and the Polish allies.
The 36?? Air Task Force Wing, equipped with aircraft Eurofighter Typhoon (F-2000s) from the 36th Wing of Gioia del Colle, 4th Wing of Grosseto, 37th Wing of Trapani and 51st Wing of Istrana, have protected the airspace of the three Baltic countries, 24 hours a day, continuously from 1 August 2024. During the eight months of the mission Baltic Thunder II, the TFA has completed 55 “Alpha Scramble” intercepting 82 unidentified aircraft. In total, over 1500 hours have been flown fly and 400 sorties and conducted several joint activities with the multinational contingents and NATO Deployed in the area of operations.
The ceremony, which began with thanks for the Italian contingent from the Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Defence Karolis Aleska and of the Commander of the Combined Air Operation Centre in Uedem, General Thorsten Poschwatta, continued with the words of the Italian Ambassador in Vilnius, Emanuele de Maigret: “Italy is strongly committed to ensuring the security of NATO's eastern border and the Baltic airspace. We are among the main contributors in terms of personnel and resources along the Alliance's eastern flank.”.
2025 also marks the ten-year milestone since the Italian Air Force's first participation in Lithuania to NATO Baltic Air Policing. A decade of constant and continuous commitment and dedication, during which the security of the Baltic skies was guaranteed, within the NATO context, and international cooperation was strengthened, demonstrating professionalism and competence in the field.
Eurofighter Typhoons of the’Italian Air Force They've now handed over the baton to the Polish F-16s.
The outgoing Commander of the 36?? Air Wing Task Force, Air Brigadier General Roberto Massarotto, yes, indeed, handed over the “Key to the Baltic”, which metaphorically guards the gateway to the skies of the three countries, to the Polish contingent. General Massarotto, addressing the authorities present and the Task Force personnel, wanted to stress that: “Your presence confirms the great attention dedicated to Baltic Air Policing and demonstrates the constant trust and valuable support provided to the units deployed to safeguard the airspace of the Baltic countries. The Baltic Key represents the determination of NATO nations to defend allies and their values. A symbol of unity, common purpose, and above all, solidarity within the Alliance.”
The ceremony provided an opportunity for the Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force, Colonel Antanas Matutis, to award General Massarotto the medal “Lithuanian Armed Forces Medal for Distinguished Service”for the exceptional performance and professionalism demonstrated in carrying out the Air Policing mission over the skies of the three Baltic nations.
The safeguarding of airspace integrity is a standing task for NATO in peacetime, and a clear sign of cohesion, shared responsibility, and solidarity for all allied countries.
The Baltic Air Policing It has been in effect since April 2004. To date, 17 Allied countries have participated in the defence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Italy takes part in the missions of Air Policing NATO's for the defence of the Alliance's borders in the skies over the Baltics, Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Albania and Montenegro.
The activities carried out in the Operational Theatre are conducted under the command and control of Interforce Summit Operational Command (COVI), which is the High Defence Command responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing joint operations and exercises at national and international levels.
