48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Spectators watch as the U.S. Air Force takes control of the Baltic Air Policing mission during a change of command at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Jan. 3, 2014. The ceremony acknowledged the mission transfer from the Belgian air force to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. will maintain Lithuania’s sovereign air space for four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge/Released)

48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas presents a book about Lithuania to Lt. Col. Lendy Renegar, 48th Air Expeditionary Group commander, during a change of command at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Jan. 3, 2014. The ceremony acknowledged the transfer of the Baltic Air Policing mission from the Belgian air force to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. will maintain Lithuania’s sovereign air space for four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge/Released)

48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, speaks about the importance of NATO partnerships during a change of command at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Jan. 3, 2014. The ceremony acknowledged the transfer of the Baltic Air Policing mission from the Belgian air force to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. will maintain Lithuania’s sovereign air space for four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge/Released)

48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Maj Gen Edvardas Mažeikis, commander of the Lithuanian Air Force, expresses thanks to the Belgian and U.S. air forces during a change of command Jan. 3, 2014. The ceremony acknowledged the transfer of the Baltic Air Policing mission from the Belgian air force to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. will maintain Lithuania’s sovereign air space for four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge/Released)

48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Maj Gen Edvardas Mažeikis, commander of the Lithuanian Air Force, presents Belgian air force members the Common award during a Change of Command ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Jan. 3, 2014. The ceremony acknowledged the transfer of the Baltic Air Policing mission from the Belgian air force to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. will maintain Lithuania’s sovereign air space for a period of four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge/Released)

48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Belgian air force members are rewarded the Common award for their participation in the Baltic Air Policing mission during a Change of Command ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Jan. 3, 2014. The ceremony acknowledged the transfer of the BAP mission from the Belgian air force to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. will maintain Lithuania’s sovereign air space for a period of four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge/Released)

48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Lt. Col. Lendy Renegar, 48th Air Expeditionary Group commander talks about mission readiness during a Change of Command ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Jan. 3, 2014. The ceremony acknowledged the transfer of the Baltic Air Policing mission from the Belgian air force to the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. will maintain Lithuania’s sovereign air space for a period of four months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge/Released)

48th AEG supports Baltic Air Policing

Published Jan. 9, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The United States Air Force took control of the Baltic Air Policing mission from the Belgian air force during a change of command ceremony at Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, Jan. 3, 2014.

Almost 150 Airmen are deployed to Lithuania throughout the next four months as part of the 48th Air Expeditionary Group. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Baltic Air Policing mission.

"We're fully immersed in the Air Policing mission," said Gen. Frank Gorenc, U.S Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. "We have committed ourselves as alliance partners, to the mission, tactics, techniques, procedures and the command and control required to facilitate this job."

Established in 2004, Baltic Air Policing is a mission in which allied NATO countries provide aircraft and personnel for air surveillance and policing of the Baltic States, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Four F-15C Eagles from Royal Air Force Lakenheath are supporting the operation.

"The Belgians were very tactical, skilled aviators and we hope to carry on the same dominant performance in the upcoming months," said Lt. Col. Lendy Renegar, 48th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "As USAFE's only air superiority squadron, we truly believe we are prepared for Baltic Air Policing."

Over the last decade, 14 NATO nations have participated in policing the Baltic region. This will mark the beginning of the fourth rotation by the United States.

During the ceremony Maj. Gintautas Slovikas, acting Lithuanian Air Force air base commander, expressed thanks to the U.S. Air Force and emphasized the importance of our shared commitment to promote peace, stability and opportunity.

Baltic Air Policing is part of NATO's "Smart Defense" model that incorporates allied nations, conducting operations through shared capabilities and coordinated efforts to effectively accomplish missions. The current BAP mission is slated to continue through 2018.