On Apr. 15th, Portuguese F-16 fighter jets assigned to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission conducted their first intercept mission of the current deployment. The scramble, initiated by the Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany, marked the first time the Portuguese detachment launched jets for an air interception during their seventh rotation at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania.
Photo: Portuguese Air Force
Following a rapid response, the two-ship formation of F-16s approached unidentified aircraft flying near NATO airspace over international waters. Upon identification, the Portuguese pilots confirmed the presence of two Russian military aircraft (a Il-20 and a Il-76) that lacked a flight plan. The Portuguese F-16s then escorted the Russian planes until they entered the Kaliningrad Flight Information Region, successfully completing the mission.
This incident underscores the continued vigilance of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. The successful intercept demonstrates the readiness of the Portuguese detachment, currently comprised of approximately 95 personnel and four F-16M fighter jets. They contribute to the ongoing 65th rotation of the mission, currently led by a Spanish F/A-18 detachment.
NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission has been in operation for two decades. The alliance maintains a rotational presence of fighter jets at Šiauliai Air Base to safeguard the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, all members of NATO.
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