RAF Lossiemouth in Baltic air policing mission
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TYPHOONS and crew from RAF Lossiemouth will spearhead a NATO air policing mission in Lithuania later this year.
Operation AZOTIZE will see RAF Lossiemouth personnel return in August to Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania as part of a 150-strong Typhoon detachment – the sixth time the UK has deployed on the mission.
Since 2004, Siauliai has been one of the bases of the Baltic Air Policing Mission – a peacetime collective effort to safeguard the allies’ airspace. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania do not have the necessary defensive air capabilities of their own.
All allies contribute to this collective mission, taking turns to send forces to the air base and bringing a system of radar sites and air surveillance, control units and fighter aircraft together under the co-ordination of Allied Air Command.
The operation is similar to Quick Reaction Alert in the UK, where Typhoons are on call 24/7 to scramble at a moment's notice against any airborne threats.
An RAF Lossiemouth spokesperson said: "It may seem strange that our Typhoons have continued to fly above Moray’s skies in the last few weeks.
"All of this activity is essential in preparing our pilots, engineers, technicians and other supporting personnel for the range of operations the team at RAF Lossiemouth are involved with – both at home and overseas.
"Despite worldwide events, our adversaries haven’t stopped their activities, and so we cannot afford to either. The Baltic Air Policing mission, known as Op AZOTIZE, ensures the integrity of NATO airspace is maintained over Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia."
Formed around RAF Lossiemouth's number 6 Squadron, the Typhoon detachment will be strengthened by specialist personnel from across the RAF.
Wing Commander Stu Gwinnutt, RAF detachment commander, said: "The RAF was the third NATO member to conduct what was then a brand-new allied mission of Baltic Air Policing here at Šiauliai in 2004.
"I look forward to commanding the latest RAF detachment to conduct this important NATO mission, where we will demonstrate NATO’s collective resolve and assurance for our eastern allies, as well as showing that the UK remains a leading NATO member that is reliable and well-connected."
