The Romanian Air Pressure has concluded its four-month deployment in Lithuania as a part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, formally handing over duty to incoming Hungarian and Spanish detachments at a ceremony held at Šiauliai Air Base, in response to NATO Allied Air Command.
Since April 2025, the Romanian detachment, generally known as the Carpathian Vipers, has flown greater than 400 hours, finishing up each operational sorties and multinational coaching actions alongside the Polish Air Pressure. The Romanian F-16s supplied round the clock Fast Response Alert protection, sustaining the safety of NATO airspace over the Baltic area.
“Individually, we’re simply individuals. However collectively, we’re the Carpathian Vipers – a group that embodies the professionalism, dedication, and sacrifice of the Romanian Air Pressure,” mentioned Colonel Vasile Petrea, Detachment Commander. “Via our every day actions, we reaffirm Romania’s steadfast dedication to NATO and to the collective defence of the Euro-Atlantic house. We don’t simply signify Romania. We signify the requirements of the Alliance we’re proud to be a part of.”
🇵🇱🇷🇴 Polish and Romanian F-16s are patrolling Baltic skies from Lithuania as a part of NATO’s air policing mission. Flying from Šiauliai, the jets stand able to intercept any unidentified plane close to NATO airspace 24/7. #NATO #BalticAirPolicing pic.twitter.com/IRVflDropq
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) August 1, 2025
The deployment included participation in NATO workout routines comparable to Ramstein Alloy, Hedgehog, and Baltops, designed to enhance interoperability and regional readiness.
One Romanian F-16 pilot, callsign “Tatoo,” famous the depth behind the mission’s success. “Behind every fight mission was intense work, supported by rigorous coaching, self-discipline and relentless effort, day and evening, to attain the proposed goals with out compromise.”
Romania has contributed to Baltic Air Policing since 2007 and has led the mission on a number of events. This newest rotation reinforces its function as a dedicated NATO Ally supporting the Alliance’s deterrence and defence posture on the jap flank.
The mission now continues beneath the management of Hungary and Spain, with Hungarian JAS-39 Gripens and Spanish EF2000 Eurofighter Typhoons assuming duty for the airspace.
NATO’s Air Policing mission ensures that the Alliance maintains management and surveillance over its airspace always, together with for member states with out their very own devoted air defence capabilities. The initiative is a key factor of NATO’s collective defence and readiness framework.