The ‘Vilkas’ Tactical Air Detachment concludes its Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuania

• The 12 aircraft and more than 200 Spanish aircrew return to Spain after leading NATO’s Baltic Air Policing and participating in Operation Eastern Sentry 

After four months of intense activity, the ‘Vilkas’ Tactical Air Detachment (TAD) has concluded its mission at the helm of the Baltic Air Policing (BAP) in Lithuania. As an essential component of NATO’s Operation Persistent Effort, the Spanish aircrew have led surveillance of the eastern flank, whilst also providing key capabilities to Operation ‘Eastern Sentry’, which was activated following violations of allied airspace by unidentified drones.

With a deployment of 12 aircraft (11 EF-18M Hornets from Wing 15 and 1 A400M from Wing 31) and more than 200 military personnel from various specialities – air operations, logistics and security – DAT Vilkas has successfully completed the largest air deployment to date by our Armed Forces on an international mission.

In addition to leading the Baltic Air Policing mission and providing a more focused and flexible deterrent and defence on the Alliance’s eastern flank, during this period our military personnel have trained jointly through numerous multinational exercises that have enhanced interoperability with the other member countries.

With the mission completed, the HOTO (Hand Over – Take Over) handover ceremony took place on Tuesday 31 March. Spain, which has led Mission BAP 70 single-handedly from Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, has handed over command to France and Romania. The French will act as leaders and the Romanian army will be the supporting nation. Both contingents will continue the legacy in the BAP 71 mission from the same location, Siauliai.

On Wednesday, 1 April, Lieutenant Colonel Fernando García Allen, head of the ‘Vilkas’ DAT, officially declared the mission concluded. The Force Commander highlighted “the commitment, high level of training and preparedness of the deployed personnel. This has ensured that Spain’s contribution to the collective security of NATO airspace has been outstanding and recognised by the other allies”.