F-16s based in Lithuania, part of NATO mission
A pair of Portuguese F-16s intercepted two Russian jets approaching NATO airspace on Monday, escorting them back to the border with the Baltic States.
The Air Force F-16Ms, based at the Siauliai Air Base, as part of a NATO mission in Lithuania, were scrambled following an alert sounded by the Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, which identified two unidentified aircraft flying over international waters approaching NATO airspace without a flight plan.
“The mission was successfully completed, thus demonstrating the high state of readiness and proficiency of the Portuguese detachment,” said the Air Force in a statement today.
The Portuguese NATO mission in Lithuania has four F-16Ms and a contingent of up to 95 Air Force military.
Source: LUSA
