Spain resumes leadership of NATO Air Policing in Lithuania

• The Air Force and Space Force's Tactical Air Detachment (TAD) ‘Vilkas’ (BAP 70) has 12 aircraft and 200 airmen serving to protect allied airspace

 At the Siauliai Air Base (Lithuania), the ‘Vilkas’ Tactical Air Detachment (TAD) has completed its deployment and is now ready and alert to begin surveillance and protection of NATO's eastern flank airspace.

Once again, and for the next four months, Spain is taking the lead in the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) mission as a key component of NATO's Operation Persistent Effort. The DAT ‘Vilkas’ continues to participate, within the framework of the enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA) ‘Eastern Sentry’ defensive reinforcement in its area of responsibility, to prevent any unidentified incursions into allied airspace, thus contributing to the collective security of the Alliance and, therefore, of Spain.

The new DAT ‘Vilkas’ contingent consists of 200 military personnel from different units and specialties—air operations, logistics, security, among others—and has a total of twelve aircraft: eleven EF-18M Hornet fighters belonging to Wing 15 (Zaragoza), and one TK23 A400M from Wing 31 (Zaragoza), which has been deployed in Lithuania since August and has now relieved its crew for this new ‘Vilkas’ operation. Together, they complete the largest air deployment to date on the eastern flank, and together they will demonstrate their effectiveness in air policing missions.

In command of the contingent is Lieutenant Colonel Fernando García Allen of Wing 15, who—in these first days in Lithuania—has emphasized the preparation and dedication of his airmen, and in general of all the Spanish Armed Forces, who “operate with cutting-edge technology, in addition to being highly trained, fully committed, and extensively prepared to contribute decisively to the success of this mission.”

During these months of deployment in Lithuania, the new contingent will focus on carrying out the high-alert air policing missions assigned to it by NATO's Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany. In addition, it will participate in various multinational exercises in the region and conduct training flights to remain prepared for whatever may be required.