Lithuania: Norway takes control of NATO Baltic Air Policing mission

The Italian Air Force formally handed over responsibility for policing the skies over the Baltic region to their Norwegian counterparts at Siauliai airbase on Thursday, as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. The UK's Royal Air Force will also rejoin the Baltic Air Policing mission over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, alongside Italy and Belgium, who will continue to participate in the NATO operation. Fighter planes from Belgium, Italy, Norway and the UK will be on guard over a four-month rotation period, taking part in air patrols until the end of August. The Royal Norwegian Air Force will use four F-16 fighter jets to police the airspace, with the vehicles set to be deployed from Amari airbase in Estonia. Belgians will also provide the same number of F16s from Malbork airbase in Poland.