NATO, Nordic and Baltic air force commanders meeting in Lithuania to discuss security

VILNIUS - NATO's Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) commander is to meet with commanders of the Air Forces of the Nordic and Baltic countries and Poland in Lithuania on Wednesday to discuss the regional security situation, military cooperation and share the latest information about the national air forces.

Participants of the meeting at the Lithuanian Air Force Aviation base in Siauliai, northern Lithuania, will include Norway's Air Force Commander Brigadier General Tonje Skinnarland, Finland's Air Force Commander Major General Kim Erkki A.Jaamer, Sweden's Air Force Commander Major General Mats Helgesson, Poland's Air Force Commander Brigadier Gneeral Cezary Wisniewski, Latvia's Air Force Commander Colonel Armands Saltups and Estonia's Air Force Commander Jaak Tarien. Denmark's Royal Air Force will be represented by Expedition Air Force Commander Brigadier General Lone Traeholt.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis and AIRCOM Commander General Tod Wolters will speak about air security and air contingency of the Baltic region, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry said.

The guests will meet with the Dutch Air Force Contingent serving in the NATO air-policing mission to patrol the Baltic skies.

The NATO mission is currently conducted by four Dutch Air Force fighter jets F-16 Fighting Falcon, which started their four-month mission in January.

The NATO air-policing mission was launched since the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined NATO in March of 2004.