On November 28th, 2023, Horizon was invited by NATO Allied Air Command to participate in a media flight with the French Air and Space Force’s Airbus A330MRTT Phénix, which served as the support tanker for three Mirage 2000-5F fighter jets. The latter aircraft flew from Air Base 116 Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, where France was set to assume the Enhanced Air Policing Mission alongside Belgium starting December 1st, 2023.
Early in the morning, we were greeted by Colonel Pierre Gaudilliere, spokesperson for the French Joint Defense Staff, at French Air and Space Force Base 125 Istres. Following a brief overview of the day’s schedule, we proceeded to the ramp where the A330MRTT Phénix 041 awaited us. Departing from Istres, located on the southern coast of France, we headed north to meet with three Dassault Mirage 2000-5F from Escadron de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes (Fighter Squadron 1/2 Storks) from Air Base 116. Air-to-air refueling began shortly after, utilising the two wing points.
The multirole Phénix has replaced the Airbus A310 and two Airbus A340 aircraft of the 3/60 “Esterel” transport squadron. By 2028, a fleet of fifteen A330 Phénix will fully replace all Boeing C-135FR and KC-135RG aircraft in the 2/91 “Bretagne” in-flight refueling group. With a capacity of up to 110 tons, the Phénix can refuel two fighter jets simultaneously through its wing pods or a Boeing E-3F surveillance aircraft via its central boom. Its primary mission is to support the aerial component of the nuclear deterrent while also enhancing strategic transport capabilities by carrying more passengers and cargo. Additionally, it is equipped with the Morphée module, a resuscitation system for patients requiring extended medical evacuation. A single Phénix can deploy two to four fighters along with their mechanics, maintenance teams, and support crews.
Baltic enhanced Air Policing
When the three Baltic States joined NATO in 2004, a NATO Air Policing mission was established at Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania. Following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, a second Air Policing presence was established at Ämari Air Base in Estonia as part of NATO’s Assurance Measures for its Eastern Allies, this ensures collective defense by providing equal protection for all member countries that is crucial for demonstrating Alliance solidarity and resolve to current members and also to partner nations and potential future members.
Nato rotates deployments to air bases in Šiauliai, Lithuania, and Ämari, Estonia, on a four-month cycle, remaining on standby for potential launch by NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany. The air forces of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia support the mission with host nation contributions, providing air command, control infrastructure, and personnel.
Fighter jets assigned to NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission are frequently scrambled to visually identify Russian Federation Air Force aircraft. Much of this activity is linked to the geographical location of the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. Russian aircraft often fly between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad, frequently approaching or flying near NATO airspace without using transponders, communicating with Air Traffic Control, or filing flight plans.
French Air Force Support of Baltic Air Policing
Since the beginning of these rotational operations, the French Air and Space Force has consistently contributed. As of December 1st, 2023, the French Air and Space Force is doing a second turn of quick reaction duty in Lithuania with 4 Mirage 2000-5F air defense fighters from Escadron de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes (Fighter Squadron 1/2 Storks) supported by 100 personnel and crew.
The French air detachment deployed in enhanced Air Policing consists of approximately 100 members, including:
- six fighter pilots,
- approximately forty mechanics,
- approximately fifteen members of Air Force Security Forces (“Fusiliers et Commandos de l’Air),
- Seven Air Force Firefighters,
- Two members of the French Defence Health Service,
- Two members of the Operational Energy Service,
- Twelve specialists in information and communication technology.
This marks the French Air Forces’ tenth eAP participation and seventh deployment to Lithuania, following their deployments in 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, and 2022.
NATO Air Shielding
Shortly after the French Mirages broke formation near their destination, Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, we turned north towards the Baltic Sea to rendezvous with Finnish Air Force F/A-18Cs participating in the NATO Air Shielding mission alongside Swedish Saab Gripens.
The Finnish Jets from Rissala Air Base, Karelia Air Wing, flew some 400 nautical miles to the training area, demonstrating their range capability and enabling combined support to air operations. The air-to-air refueling enabled a further 60-minute window to act as simulated intruders who had to be engaged by Swedish counterparts
The Finnish and Swedish fighter jets regularly fly with Allied fighters deployed in the region to enhance cooperation further and exploit synergies during these combined flying drills.
NATO’s Air Shielding mission stands as a testament to the alliance’s commitment to safeguarding its member states. This initiative directly responds to the heightened air and missile threat perceived on NATO’s eastern flank, particularly in the wake of recent geopolitical tensions.
The Air Shielding mission is a multifaceted operation that involves the deployment of additional fighter jets and ground-based air and missile defense systems. These assets are strategically positioned to protect the airspace of NATO’s eastern allies, ensuring a robust defense against any potential aerial incursions or missile attacks.
After refueling the Finnish Hornets, we resumed our journey to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania. As we approached, a pair of Italian Air Force Typhoons, engaged in a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) exercise from the same base.
Task Force Air 4th Wing “Baltic Horse III”
During our brief stay at the base, we were welcomed by the Italian Detachment. The commander of Task Force Air 4th Wing “Baltic Horse III” Colonel Federico Sacco Maino, provided us with a short briefing on the deployment. The operation involved four major Italian Air Force Typhoon squadrons: 4° Stormo from Grosseto Air Base, 36° Stormo from Gioia del Colle Air Base, 37° Stormo from Trapani Air Base, and 51° Stormo from Istrana Air Base, along with all the supporting technical staff.
During the deployment, the Italian Air Force logged 800 flight hours, which included 35 alpha scrambles and over 60 interceptions of aircraft, mostly from the Russian Federation, flying into Kaliningrad from Russia.
Nato AWACS deployment in Lithuania
After leaving the Italian quarters, we visited the NATO E-3A AWACS detachment and Belgian Air Force detachments with F-16s that were also on Enhance Air Policing duties for the next four months along with France.
Two E-3A AWACS planes deployed at Šiauliai Air Base are flying missions to monitor Russian military activity near the Alliance’s borders. Often referred to as NATO’s ‘eyes in the sky’, the aircraft are among the few assets owned and operated by NATO itself. Based in Geilenkirchen, Germany, the planes can fly for up to eight and a half hours while monitoring more than 120,000 square kilometers of territory.
NATO has increased its air presence in the eastern part of the Alliance using fighter jets, surveillance planes, and tankers. The NATO AWACS mission is scheduled to last several weeks. Around 150 military personnel from Czechia, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Türkiye, and the United States, have deployed to Šiauliai in support of the aircraft.
Soon after sunset, we were taken back to the Phénix, which would take us back to Istres Air Base.
Horizon expresses its appreciation to NATO Allied Air Command and the French Air and Space Force for the chance to witness such a complex operation and for their warm hospitality during the media event. We also wish to thank the Belgian Air Force, Italian Air Force, AWACS detachment, and Lithuanian Air Force for their welcoming reception on Šiauliai Air Base.
