UBO: The deployment is part of a long-term plan to continuously remind Russia that any attack on NATO members and allies – including Ukraine – will come at an immense cost. Photo: Four F-15C Eagles fly in March 2016 off the coast of Japan. Seven F-15Cs deployed to Lithuania Tuesday. (Senior Airman Peter Reft, USAF)
By Charlsy Panzino for AirForce Times, Aug 29, 2017 About 140 airmen and seven F-15C Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England deployed to Lithuania Tuesday, according to U.S. European Command. The airmen are deploying as the 48th Expeditionary Group to Siauliai air base to assume control of the NATO Baltic Air Policing peacetime collective defense mission, the EUCOM news release said. The Air Force will take command of that mission from the Polish military Wednesday, and the U.S. airmen will “strengthen the bond between Baltic allies through shared capabilities and coordinated efforts to effectively accomplish missions,” the release said. The deployment was at the request of the United States’ Baltic allies, according to the release. ###
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