Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur presented mission medals to members of the Italian Air Force contingent serving in the Baltic Air Policing mission at Ämari Air Base.
“Your deployment here has taken place during one of the most demanding security environments Europe has faced in decades. The violation of Estonian airspace on 19 September by three Russian MiGs was the most serious airspace violation in NATO’s history, and the Italian contingent at Ämari, together with the SAMP/T battery, fulfilled its task with the highest level of professionalism,” Minister Pevkur said in his speech.
“Your presence in Estonia has carried real weight—not only as a key part of NATO’s deterrence posture, but also as daily reassurance to the Estonian people and in protecting NATO airspace,” the Minister added.
The Italian contingent, Task Force Air (TFA) 4th Wing, took over the Baltic Air Policing rotation from Portugal in August. The Italian Air Force will continue safeguarding Baltic airspace with a newly rotating unit arriving in Estonia. The Italian multirole Eurofighter Typhoons stand on 24/7 alert at Ämari Air Base.
The Baltic Air Policing mission is a peacetime operation launched in 2004 following the accession of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to NATO.
- Photo gallery of the medal ceremony: https://pildid.mil.ee/index.php?/category/63715
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