Lithuanian President Visits RAF Personnel Deployed On NATO Mission
Gitanas Nausėda thanked members of 135 Expeditionary Air Wing who are in Lithuania as part of NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.
The President of Lithuania has visited RAF personnel currently serving in the country to thank them for their work.
Gitanas Nausėda, along with Lithuania's Minister of National Defence and Chief of Defence Staff, visited Siauliai Air Base where Royal Air Force personnel are involved in NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission.
"Lithuania appreciates very much what you are doing for us. We live so close to our neighbours and that creates a certain risk for us," Mr Nausėda said.
"The Baltic Air Policing Mission is a great example of NATO solidarity."
Around 150 RAF personnel from 135 Expeditionary Air Wing are serving in Lithuania alongside the Spanish Air Force as part of a mission to help protect NATO airspace in the region.
Earlier this month, RAF Typhoon fighter jets in the country were scrambled for the fifth time to intercept Russian aircraft off the Baltic coast.
During the visit, Wing Commander Stu Gwinnutt, RAF Detachment Commander, along with his Spanish counterpart, briefed Mr Nausėda on the NATO Air Operations.
He also spoke to Mr Nausėda about an on going British-German interoperability exercise that is underway at the base.
Wing Commander Gwinnutt said it was "a great honour" to host Mr Nausėda.
"He has been genuinely interested in our role, the aircraft and the morale of the personnel of 135 Expeditionary Air Wing," he said.
Mr Nausėda was also shown around Typhoon and Eurofighter jets during his visit.
Cover image: Gitanas Nausėda alongside Air Force personnel (Picture: MOD).