Other events in Baltic States

On Thursday, the Aviation Base of Lithuanian Military Air Forces in Siauliai will receive guests – the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania will hold a guest and media day, reports ELTA.

On Tuesday, about 120 U.S. soldiers and four F-15C fighter jets were located in Lithuania and would guard the Baltic air space. The U.S. soldiers took over the rapid reaction air patrol mission from the German air forces and would guard the Baltic air space till the end of the year.

The welcoming ceremony at the Aviation Base on Thursday will be attended by President Valdas Adamkus, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania John A. Cloud, Deputy National Defence Minister Antanas Valys, Gen. Lt. Valdas Tutkus, chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Mayor General James P. Hunt, Director of Air and Space Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

This is the second time when the U.S. air forces will be implementing NATO air patrol mission. They were patrolling the Baltic airspace in October-December 2005.