Features

USAF continues to support NATO allies

Photos by Senior Airman John Wright
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
March 11, 2022
NATO allies display aircraft assets as a show of collective defense and readiness at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 3, 2022.
Ambassador Robert Gilchrist, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, meets with U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, during his visit to Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. Airmen and F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th FW forward deployed to the Baltic region to provide unprecedented communication capabilities, command and control, and lethality for NATO’s collective defense.
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, takes off at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. The fifth generation aircraft forward deployed to multiple locations in the Baltic region to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced air policing mission.
Ambassador Robert Gilchrist, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, right, U.S. Air Force Maj. Ayla Burnside, Office of Defense Cooperation foreign area officer fellow, center, and Anna Kelley, U.S. Embassy Vilnius assistant defense attache, back right, meet with Lt. Col. James “Holy” Schmidt, 495th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Detachment 1 commander, left, and Lt. Col. Eligijus Ruksnaitis, Siauliai Air Base acting commander, back left, to observe F-35 Lightning II aircraft capabilities at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. The fifth generation aircraft, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, will be supporting NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission for an extended period from forward operating locations in the Baltic region.
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, flies over Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. The fifth generation aircraft forward deployed to multiple locations in the Baltic region to support NATO’s collective defense and enhanced air policing mission.
Ambassador Robert Gilchrist, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, right, U.S. Air Force Maj. Ayla Burnside, Office of Defense Cooperation foreign area officer fellow, center, and Anna Kelley, U.S. Embassy Vilnius assistant defense attache, back right, meet with Lt. Col. James “Holy” Schmidt, 495th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Detachment 1 commander, left, and Lt. Col. Eligijus Ruksnaitis, Siauliai Air Base acting commander, back left, to observe F-35 Lightning II aircraft capabilities at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. The fifth generation aircraft, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, will be supporting NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission for an extended period from forward operating locations in the Baltic region.
A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, and a Lithuanian air force member finish refueling an F-35 Lightning II aircraft at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. Fuels operators supported flying operations to ensure the fifth generation aircraft was ready 24/7 to support NATO’s enhanced air policing mission in the Baltic region.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Eades, 495th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-35 flight line expeditor, inspects an F-35 Lightning II aircraft tire for damage after a flying operation at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. Maintainers supported flying operations to ensure the fifth generation aircraft, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, was ready 24/7 to support NATO’s enhanced air policing mission in the Baltic region.
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, refuel an F-35 Lightning II aircraft after flying operations at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, March 2, 2022. The 48th FW and assigned F-35 aircraft forward deployed to the Baltic region to provide unprecedented communication capabilities, command and control, and lethality for NATO’s collective defense.
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