Turkish F-16 fighter jets land at Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia

Two F-16 fighter jets belonging to the Turkish Air Force, serving as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission, have landed at the Latvian National Armed Forces' Lielvarde Air Base.

(Latvian Minister of Defense Raivis Melnis and Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Latvia Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu are seen together)  

In a joint official statement issued by the Latvian Ministry of Defense (Aizsardzibas ministrija) and the Latvian Army (Latvijas armija), it was noted that the flight was conducted from Ämari Air Base in Estonia to strengthen the allied presence in the region.

"IT IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE THAT ALLIED FORCES ARE READY"

Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis, whose remarks were included in the official announcement, emphasized that the presence of Turkish jets demonstrates NATO's defense capability and stated the following:

"The presence of Turkish fighter jets in Latvia is practical proof of NATO's determination to protect our airspace and counter any threat. In the current security situation, it is of vital importance for us that allied forces are not only visible in the region but also in a position to act immediately."

The statement also indicated that since the end of July, the NATO airspace patrol mission in the region has been carried out jointly by the Italian unit stationed at Lithuania's Šiauliai Air Base and the Turkish Air Force elements serving at Estonia's Ämari Air Base.

News Source: Latvian Ministry of Defense (Aizsardzibas ministrija) & Latvian Army (Latvijas armija)

Photos: Armins Janiks (Latvian Ministry of Defense)

News Source: 12punto