The Dutch contribution to the F-16 mission for the Baltic states
The Netherlands complied with NATO’s request to increase the Alliance’s military presence in Eastern Europe. From 5 September through to 16 December 2014, Dutch F-16s guarded the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The 5 aircraft, one of which was deployed as a logistics reserve, operated from Malbork Air Base in the northeastern part of Poland.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force also deployed KDC-10 transport aircraft that refuelled NATO AWACS aircraft (air-to-air refuelling). A Royal Netherlands Navy minehunter patrolled the Baltic Sea. Its crew also carried out inspections.
The F-16s carried out patrols and were deployed on a quick reaction alert (QRA) basis. This means that, day and night, the aircraft could be scrambled and be airborne within a few minutes to protect the Eastern European border. The F-16 crews completed training exercises with the Polish air force and AWACS aircraft. They also carried out training missions and exercises with air force, navy and army units of Eastern European nations.
Deployment
The Dutch Air Policing Task Force was in action a total of 4 times. On 12 November, the F-16s intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 (Candid) transport aircraft. In the middle of December, F-16s escorted 2 armed Russian Sukhoi Su-34 (Fullback) fighter‑bombers out of the airspace of the Baltic states. Later in the same week, a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 (Coot) reconnaissance aircraft likewise had to be escorted on 2 occasions. The Dutch F-16s were ordered by NATO to take intercept and escort action because flight plans had not been known in advance or the transponders of the Russian aircraft were off.
This is a provisional description of the mission provided by the Ministry of Defence’s media centre. The Netherlands Institute of Military History (NIMH) will publish a final version at a later date.