Friday, March 31, 2006

DefenseNews.com - Turkey Starts NATO Patrol of Baltic Skies - 03/31/06 10:33

"Turkey Starts NATO Patrol of Baltic Skies
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, VILNIUS, Lithuania

Four Turkish F-16 fighters took over NATO patrols of Baltic air space on March 31, the Lithuanian defense ministry said.
The Turks, who took over the air police mission from Poland, will be the first NATO country to patrol Baltic air space for four months as opposed to three.
”It was decided that longer missions will save time which we spend on preparations and becoming acquainted with the mission’s territory,” Arturas Leita, commander of the Lithuanian air force, told AFP."

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