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Czech Air Force Gripen Two ship

25 January 2022

Czech Gripens to Guard Baltic Airpace This Year

1 min read

Czech Air Force will send their Gripen fighters for a six-month Baltic Air Policing mission starting April this year to protect the airspace of in Lithuania.

As a part of these NATO missions, Czech Gripen pilots will carry out activities including Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) patrols, low-level flights above sea, and several joint missions with various alliance groups, both in air and on the ground.

Czech Republic is an active member of NATO and missions like these are conducted under the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). Czech Gripen were first deployed for an air policing mission under NATINAMDS in the year 2012.

According to a recent press release by the Czech Air Force, even during the pandemic last year, the 21st Tactical Air Base carried out all combat training exercises including supersonic flight tests. Steps were taken to ensure people flew in shifts and follow all safety measures. The Czech Gripen pilots are all ready to conduct missions in Lithuania.

In total, five Czech Gripen fighters will be deployed for the NATO mission.

Read the full story here.

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