RAF takes command of Nato air policing mission in Estonia

The Royal Air Force has taken command of the Nato Baltic Air Policing mission in Estonia.

The RAF took over the command responsibility from the German Air Force, with a ceremony at Ämari Air Base on the 74th anniversary of Nato's formation and the day Finland was welcomed into the defence alliance.

The two forces will continue to work together for the security of the Baltic skies until the end of April when German pilots will leave after their five-month deployment.

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The RAF's 140 EAW will continue the mission until August.

Air Vice-Marshal Phil Robinson, the Air Officer Commanding 11 Group RAF, who attended the ceremony said: "What a privilege it is for the UK to work alongside Germany to deliver Nato's first Combined Air Policing Mission.

"This combined leadership paves the way for future interoperability across a broad range of Allies and Nato partners.

"We live in uncertain times, but 74 years after the formation of Nato, the skies over the Baltics are in safe hands.  

"Nato has also been strengthened by Finland joining the alliance today, a significant milestone," he added.

Brigadier General Ralf Raddatz, Deputy Commander of the Nato Combined Air Operations Centre at Uedem, Germany, which has overall control of the Nato mission, said: "I want to congratulate the German detachment on the successful execution of their watch over the Baltic airspace. At the same time, I welcome the British detachment, especially as the new lead nation for the combined air policing.

"What we've seen here is the culmination of a long process of enhancing that level of integration, and I congratulate both detachments on this great achievement, the Estonian Armed Forces, our hosts here at Ämari, have also been a role model when it comes to integration.

"Since 2014, when Russia illegally annexed Crimea and Nato responded with the Assurance Measures, Ämari has hosted a continuous series of Allied fighter detachments. With today's ceremony, we deliver an important message: the mission continues."

In March, GAF and RAF Typhoons launched three times to intercept Russian military aircraft flying close to Nato airspace, the Royal Air Force said.