User:The joy of all things/subpage 5
| Operation Azotize | |
|---|---|
| Part of NATO Air Policing | |
 |
Operation Azotize is the Royal Air Force's name for its roulement on the Baltic Air Policing mission, part of a NATO mission to provide air support to the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Since 2004, the RAF have deployed aircraft and one of its Expeditionary Air Wings seven times (up until 2023) in support of the NATO mission as Operation Azotize.
Background[edit]
The three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, joined NATO in 2004. However, they were unable to provide sufficient air support to defend their airspace, so other nations from the NATO alliance have been providing a detachment of interceptor aircraft to aid in protecting and securing the airspace around their borders.[1]
Deployments[edit]
| Date | Location | Aircraft | EAW | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May – August 2016 | Šiauliai air base, Lithuania | [2] | ||
| May – September 2019 | Estonia | Typhoons from RAF Coningsby | [3] | |
| May – September 2020 | Šiauliai air base, Lithuania | Four Typhoon aircraft from No. 6 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth | No. 135 EAW (RAF Leeming) | [4] |
| March – August 2023 | Ämari air base, Estonia | Four Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth | No. 140 EAW (RAF Lossiemouth) | [5][6] |
References[edit]
- ^ "Baltic Air Policing". ac.nato.int. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Op Azotize: What Was The RAF's Role In Lithuania?". Forces Network. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "British RAF fighter jets return home following Operation Azotize". Airforce Technology. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Lorna (2 September 2020). "Typhoons back in Moray after Baltic mission". Northern Scot. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "RAF Typhoons policing NATO's Eastern border". raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ Williams, Simon, ed. (21 April 2023). "UK counters Baltic threat". RAF News. No. 1558. p. 10.