JOINT NATO/USAFE engineers assist in NATO plans Published Dec. 23, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Torri K. Larson 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Siauliai, Lithuania -- A team of engineers from throughout United States Air Forces in Europe and a NATO CC AIR Engineer met with officials from the Lithuanian Air Force Dec. 15 to 16 to discuss Lithuania's plans for expanding the existing airbase here. They surveyed for airfield expansion for continued Lithuanian Air Force and NATO operations in the Baltic States. "We're interested in supporting the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission," said Col. Steven Rose, USAFE Civil Engineer programs chief. "This base is undergoing an evolution and as new NATO partners, we can help them expand to allow more aircraft to occupy this space." Colonel Rose is one part of the Theater Security Cooperation Program which, with partner countries, helps guide construction. He and his team brought the knowledge of airfield construction for both heavy and fighter aircraft. He said the focus of this trip was the expansion of the airfield to accommodate more aircraft. He expressed that he was pleasantly surprised at the long-range plans the Lithuanian Air Force has already made for their airfield. He explained they needed a little assistance in perfecting their master plan and giving a second opinion. "We gave them three or four good ideas to think over," Colonel Rose said. "It's going to be a pretty stellar base when they're finished." Colonel Rose said the visit couldn't have gone better. He said he will be keeping in touch with Lithuanian Air Force officials and hopes for more visits in the future. "There is no doubt; knowledge-wise and skill-wise, they rank up with the best of them," Colonel Rose said of his Lithuanian hosts. "The airbase will be a first-rate, top-of-the-line fighter base once everything's complete."