The Spanish mission, which is due to begin in April, will be joined by jets from the 15th Wing of the Spanish Air Force, based in Zaragoza.
In addition to monitoring the air space, the Spanish airmen will be responsible for training new pilots of F-18 all-weather carrier-capable multirole combat jets.
The details of the upcoming mission were announced by Spanish Defense Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal during her visit to Zaragoza Air Base earlier this week.
Spanish F-18 resting at Torrejon. pic.twitter.com/F1KI74qWcL
— José I. Soria (@MadridSpotter) 8 августа 2016 г.
The three Baltic States, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania, do not possess air patrol capabilities. Since joining NATO in 2004, the three Baltic countries' airspace has been defended by a rotating NATO mission.
NATO's main base in the Baltic region is the Zokniai Air Force Base in Latvia, while Estonia's Amari Air Base has been used by the alliance since 2014.
Aggressive #NATO build up continues with arrival of more #US tanks & troops in #Germany bound for Eastern Europe — https://t.co/YwqmTirDGp
— Zarellia (@Nidaba07) 9 января 2017 г.
Last year, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance will enhance its rotational presence in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia with 4 battalions in 2017.
He said that there is no timeline for NATO's expansion in Eastern Europe and that it will last as long as needed.
Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned NATO that the military buildup on Russia’s borders is provocative and threatens the existing strategic balance of power.
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