Germany’s military has handed over the leadership of NATO’s Baltic states to the Netherlands after nine months.
“NATO’s air police are very important for the security of the people of Latvia and the Baltic states,” said German Air Force Commander Ingo Gerhartz at a ceremony held at the Latvian military base in Lielvarde.
Germany took over the role in March 2024, deploying up to five Eurofighter jets and deploying around 200 German troops to Latvia for the mission.
“Germany is a reliable partner and friend of all the Baltic countries. And the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) stands firmly on the side of Latvia and the entire Baltic region,” said Gerhartz, who flew to Latvia in a Eurofighter.
The Air Force said the German pilots had to fly 54 times in the area on NATO’s eastern flank during the nine months of the mission.
During this deployment, unidentified aircraft without transponders or radio communications were found in international airspace over the Baltic Sea – mostly Russian military aircraft.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania do not have their own military aircraft. Therefore, NATO has been protecting the Baltic airspace since 2004. To do this, the allies regularly send military aircraft and personnel to the Baltic states in northeastern Europe.
Inspector of the German Air Force Ingo Gerhartz (C) presents badges to soldiers during a ceremony to support the NATO Air Policing Mission. The German Air Force has handed over responsibility for air traffic control in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Netherlands. Alexander Welscher/dpa
German Air Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Christian Blohm (L) and German Air Force Inspector General Ingo Gerhartz speak at the commissioning ceremony for the NATO Air Policing Mission. The Air Force is providing air traffic control for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Netherlands. Alexander Welscher/dpa
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