In Estonia / Lithuania / Poland: German, Hungarian and Italian fighter aircraft assumed responsibility for air patrols over the Baltic region as part of NATO's air policing mission on Monday (1 August 2022). NATO Air Policing is a peacetime mission, which aims to preserve the security of Alliance airspace.
For the coming months, four Hungarian JAS-39 fighter aircraft and some eighty personnel will lead the mission out of Šiauliai air base in Lithuania, while four German Eurofighter aircraft will fly out of Ämari in Estonia. They will be joined by Italian Eurofighters based in Malbork, Poland.
NATO air policing is a clear example of Alliance solidarity in action," said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu. "At a time when European security has been fundamentally altered by Russia's war against Ukraine, NATO fighter jets remain ready around the clock to protect Allied airspace. We are always vigilant.
In Lithuania: The 11th rotation of NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) Battlegroup, in Lithuania, is continuing. The official rotation ceremony will be on the 10th of August. Recently arrived Norwegian soldiers are eager to become an integral part of the Battlegroup and train with NATO Allies.
NATO has enhanced its presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, with eight multinational battlegroups in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. These units are multinational, and combat-ready, demonstrating the strength of the transatlantic bond and depth of military capability available to the Alliance. Their presence makes clear that an attack on one Ally will be considered an attack on the whole of NATO.
-9LwTO2.jpg "efp-bg-ltu-change-of-nor-(2)-9LwTO2")
In Latvia: eFP Battlegroup, Latvia, conducted Exercise Rampart Forge in order to rapidly integrate sub-units and practice basic Battlegroup drills. These exercises are further improving interoperability and common understanding of procedures and processes.
In Estonia: A Danish Contingent March has taken place every year for the last 50 years.
This weighted race tests the stamina and determination of Danish soldiers as well as those deployed alongside them on operations. On the 30th of July, over 400 soldiers from eFP Battlegroup, Estonia, took part in this year's event across a challenging 26km course. A French soldier recorded the fastest time at an incredible 2 hours and 9 minutes.