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Polish detachment handover NATO's Air Policing mission in Lithuania, to Hungarian and Spanish Air Force

NATO Allied Air Command

Aug 1 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- After a fourmonth deployment, the Polish Air Force has officially concluded its Baltic Air Policing mission, transferring responsibility to the incoming Hungarian and Spanish detachments.

During their deployment to Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, the Polish Air Force detachment accumulated more than 200 flight hours, maintaining NATO airspace integrity across the Baltic region. These sorties formed the backbone of a vigilant air policing posture essential for regional security.
Training formed a key component of the deployment. The detachment participated in a number of NATO-led exercises, including BALTOPS, a large-scale Maritime led multi-domain activity. Polish pilots honed their tactical skills in realistic scenarios, reinforcing readiness for rapid response missions.

The Polish detachment also conducted an integrated air-to-air mission with Romanian and Portuguese fighters, supported by NATO Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft (AWACS). These integrated training activities strengthened Allied interoperability and tactical coordination.
Beyond their defence duties, the detachment engaged meaningfully with the local community. They led a humanitarian aid mission in Soleczniki, delivering critical supplies and provided hands-on support at a Vilnius hospice.
In a formal ceremony held at Šiauliai, the Polish detachment handed over mission command to their Hungarian and Spanish counterparts. This seamless transition underscores the effectiveness of NATO's rotational approach under the Baltic Air Policing framework and ensures uninterrupted airspace surveillance.

Since 2004, NATO has maintained the security of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian airspace through a continuous rotation of allied fighter detachments. Under the oversight of Allied Air Command's Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, this mission demonstrates allied solidarity in safeguarding Baltic skies.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office