13.9.2019
Czech and Estonian Defence Ministers attend handover ceremony as airmen from Čáslav AFB take over operational assignment for Baltic Air Policing
On Monday 2 September 2019, Czech Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar and his Estonian counterpart Jüri Luik attended the handover/takeover ceremony for the NATO Baltic Air Policing operational assignment at Ämari Air Force Base, Estonia. A short bilateral meeting followed and Minister Metnar completed his trip with informal discussions with the Czech Armed Forces servicemembers.
The takeover of operational assignment to provide air defence coverage to the Baltic States, which do not have own supersonic capability, from the UK Royal Air Force (RAF), brought to a head several months’ preparations by over seventy Czech service personnel. The Czech Air Force servicemembers have been on Quick Reaction Alert from 1 September 2019.
Collective defence as the cornerstone of NATO
Addressing the airmen and later the Czech and Estonian media, Minister Metnar underscored the need for solidarity and cooperation. He also appreciated the quality of the Czech Air Force, the host nation support provided by Estonia and NATO’s support: “Since our accession to NATO, this will be the sixth time for our airmen to provide air defence coverage to our NATO Allies, and the third time in the Baltics. It is another proof that we are a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The takeover of the BAP operational assignment testifies to our commitment to the security of Estonia and indeed of the whole Baltics. The Baltic Air Policing mission clearly manifests one of the constituting principles of NATO, which is collective defence,“ Metnar said.
Estonian Defence Minister Luik highly valued the job the Czech Armed Forces servicemembers were doing. He also mentioned that given the fact that neither his nation nor the other two Baltic States had no supersonic fighters, it was a help more than welcome, and that he would seek to make sure for the Czech service personnel to feel as comfortable as possible during their four-month tour in Estonia.
Bilateral meeting and discussions with the Czech servicemembers
A bilateral meeting of the Czech and Estonian Defence Minister followed after the ceremony. Its key points were the enhancement of the cooperative ties both countries enjoy in the domain of defence industry, mutual support in the PESCO projects. Observations and lessons were also entertained from NATO an EU operations and exercises both nations engage in.
In conclusion of his trip, Minister Metnar shortly toured the Ämari Air Force Base and met with Czech Armed Forces servicemembers. Discussing informally with the Minister, the Czech airmen and ground specialists chiefly highlighted the effectiveness of operating the JAS-39C Gripen: “Thanks to the cost effective Swedish fighter aircraft and maintenance system concept, we are able to service one fighter with approximately half of the personnel required for other aircraft in its category,“ said Lieutenant Colonel Pavel Pavlík, the Task Force Commanding Officer. The airmen then discussed with Minister Metnar their operational tour and specific tasks. The visit was concluded with a training scramble involving a pair of JAS-39C Gripen fighters.
