The ceremony of launching the first flight took place at the Lithuanian air base in Šiauliai. HandOver-TakeOver between the Italian contingent of the 36th Wing Air Task Force and the Polish allies.
The 36th Wing Air Task Force, equipped with Eurofighter aircraft Typhoon (F-2000) from the 36th wing of Gioia del Colle, the 4th wing of Grosseto, the 37th wing of Trapani and the 51st wing of Istrana, protected the airspace of the three Baltic countries, 24 hours a day, continuously starting from 24 August 1. During the eight months of the mission Baltic Thunder II, the TFA completed 55 “Alpha Scrambles” intercepting 82 unidentified aircraft. In total, more than 1500 flight hours and 400 sorties were flown and several joint activities were conducted with multinational and NATO contingents deployed in the area of operations.
The ceremony, which began with thanks for the Italian contingent by the Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Defense Karolis Aleska and the commander of the combined air operation centre of 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 Baltic airspace. We are among the main contributors in terms of personnel and resources along the eastern flank of the Alliance”.
2025 also marks the milestone of ten years since the first participation of the Lithuanian Air Force in the NATO Baltic Air Policing. A decade of constant and continuous commitment and dedication, in which the safety of the Baltic skies was guaranteed, in the NATO context, and international cooperation was strengthened, demonstrating professionalism and competence in the field.
The Eurofighters Typhoon of the Italian Air Force have now passed the baton to the Polish F-16s.
The outgoing commander of the Task Force Air 36° Wing, Air Brigadier General Roberto Massarotto, has, in fact, handed over the “Key to the Baltic”, which metaphorically guards the passage of the skies of the three countries, to the Polish contingent. General Massarotto, addressing the authorities present and the Task Force personnel, wanted to underline that: “Your presence confirms the great attention dedicated to Baltic Air Policing and testifies to 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 their allies and their values. A symbol of unity, shared intent and, above all, solidarity within the Alliance.”
The ceremony gave the opportunity to the Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force, Colonel Antanas Matutis, to award General Massarotto the medal "Divisions of the 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".
Safeguarding the integrity of NATO airspace is a permanent task in peacetime and is a clear sign of cohesion, shared responsibility and solidarity for all Allied countries.
La Baltic Air Policing It has been in force since April 2004. To date, 17 Allied countries have participated in the defense of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Italy takes part in the missions of Air Policing of NATO to defend the Alliance's borders in the skies of the Baltics, Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Albania and Montenegro.
The activities carried out in the theatre of operations are conducted under the command and control of the operational command of interforce forces (COVI), which is the High Command of Defence responsible for planning, coordinating and directing joint operations and exercises at national and international level.
