Lt. Col. Mark Sadler, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, performs pre-flight checks before takeoff at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.The 493rd EFS regularly flies training missions while deployed to maintain readiness and proficiency. The U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles' participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission helps ensure a safe and stable future for the Baltics while preserving the integrity of NATO's borders and NATO security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
An F-15C Eagle from the 48th Air Expeditionary Group sits ready and waiting at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania March 11, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Keenan Kunst)
Maj. Barak Amundson and Capt. Tyler Clark, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilots, walk to their aircraft at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.The 493rd EFS regularly flies training missions while deployed to maintain readiness and proficiency. (The U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles' participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission helps ensure a safe and stable future for the Baltics while preserving the integrity of NATO's borders and NATO security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
An F-15C Eagle receives fuel at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania March 11, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Dana J. Butler)
An F-15C Eagle takes off from Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, during a training scramble mission Mar. 11, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Dana J. Butler)
Two F-15C Eagles taxi to the runway at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron regularly flies training missions while deployed to maintain readiness and proficiency. The U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles' participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission helps ensure a safe and stable future for the Baltics while preserving the integrity of NATO's borders and NATO security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
An F-15C Eagle takes off from Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, during a training scramble mission Mar. 11, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Keenan Kunst)
An F-15C Eagle taxis to the runway at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron regularly flies training missions while deployed to maintain readiness and proficiency. The U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles' participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission helps ensure a safe and stable future for the Baltics while preserving the integrity of NATO's borders and NATO security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
A pilot performs pre-flight checks in a hangar at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania March 11, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Keenan Kunst)
A 48th Air Expeditionary Group crew chief marshals an F-15C Eagle at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron regularly flies training missions while deployed to maintain readiness and proficiency. The U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles' participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission helps ensure a safe and stable future for the Baltics while preserving the integrity of NATO's borders and NATO security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
An F-15C Eagle takes off from Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 18, 2014.The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron regularly flies training missions while deployed to maintain readiness and proficiency. The U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles' participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission helps ensure a safe and stable future for the Baltics while preserving the integrity of NATO's borders and NATO security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler)
An F-15C Eagle takes off from Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, during a training scramble mission Mar. 10, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Dana J. Butler)
An F-15C Eagle takes off from Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, during a training scramble mission March 7, 2014. The increased U.S. presence in the current Baltic Air Policing mission comes at the request our Baltic allies and further demonstrates our commitment to the security of our fellow NATO nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
Airmen and aircraft from the 48th Air Expeditionary Group maintain a U.S. Air Force presence at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 7, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission since January 2014, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released)
Airmen and aircraft from the 48th Air Expeditionary Group maintain a U.S. Air Force presence at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 7, 2014. The 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, sent an additional six aircraft and more than 50 personnel, to augment the four aircraft and approximately 150 Airmen already supporting NATO's ongoing air policing mission since January 2014, at the request of U.S. allies in the Baltics. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Dana J. Butler/Released by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen, U.S. European Command Media Operations)