Lithuania 20 years of NATO: allied helicopters over the center of Vilnius

20 years ago, on March 29, at 4:47 p.m. In the evening, the first “F-16” fighter jets of the Royal Belgian Air Force landed at the air base of the Air Force of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in Šiauliai, which began to carry out the NATO air police mission in the Baltic countries, the statement of the Ministry of National Defense reminds. 20 years ago, Lithuania became a full member of NATO, the world’s most powerful defense alliance.

On this occasion, March 28 A solemn commemoration of these dates will take place in Šiauliai, during which the contingents of the NATO air police mission in Lithuania will also change. The symbolic key of the Baltic airspace will be handed over by the commanders of the contingents of the Belgian and French air forces to the commanders of the contingents of the Spanish and Portuguese air forces.

The NATO air police mission in the Baltic countries has been carried out since 2004. at the end of March, when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia became members of the Alliance. Allies have been working together for 20 years to preserve the integrity and safety of the airspace over the Baltic States. The current mission carried out by the Belgian and French contingents in Šiauliai is the 64th since it began in 2004. Allies maintain and protect the airspace of the Baltic countries 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

12 o’clock A solemn ceremony commemorating NATO’s 20th anniversary will be held at Daukantas Square in Vilnius. During the event, two Mirage fighter jets of the French Air Force and four helicopters of the United States Air Force: two Black Hawk and two Chinook, which are currently carrying out the NATO air police mission in the Baltic States, will greet Lithuania with their flights.

In commemoration of this important date for Lithuania, all Lithuanian municipalities are invited on March 29. 12 o’clock raise the Lithuanian and NATO flags and thus demonstrate the importance of Lithuania’s membership in the alliance to all the people of the country.

In the evening of the same day, Vilnius residents and guests of the capital are invited to Cathedral Square, where at 4:47 p.m. the opening of the art installation “#MesNATO20” will take place. Exactly at this hour, 20 years ago, Allied fighter jets landed at the Air Force base in Šiauliai, launched the NATO air police mission in the Baltic countries and became the first symbol of Lithuania’s NATO membership.

In the Museum of Energy and Technology in Vilnius, the interactive exhibition “November. Alpha. Tango. Oscar.”, dedicated to NATO’s 20th anniversary. Here, visitors will be able to try out four interactive simulators – parachute, drone suppression, communications and shooting simulators. It will be possible to visit the exhibition until the end of the year.

On April 13, the public is invited to participate in the Runway Run, which will take place at the Air Force Base of the Lithuanian Army in Šiauliai. During the unique event, the running track becomes a runway for fighter jets. 3000 meters are covered by both a rolling fighter jet and a motley crowd – Lithuanian soldiers, allies, various organizations, sports clubs, educational institutions, individual runners and everyone who wants to, from the youngest to the oldest. The Air Force Orchestra, art groups, and an exhibition of military equipment and aircraft will take part in the run.