# Turkey participation in NATO Baltic Air Policing > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-participation-in-nato-baltic-air-policing > Updated: 2026-08-22T10:41:19.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 5. Turkey’s 181st Jet Squadron began its first contribution to NATO’s Baltic Air‑Policing mission in early August 2026, stationing five F‑16 fighters and roughly 80 personnel at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base. A hand‑over ceremony on 31 July, attended by NATO air‑command representatives, Estonia’s defence minister, Portugal’s defence minister and the Turkish ambassador, marked the start of a 24‑hour quick‑reaction alert that will run from 1 August to 30 November 2026, replacing the Portuguese contingent. On 22 August 2026, two Turkish F-16 fighter jets transitioned from Ämari Air Base to Lielvarde Military Base in Latvia. A formal welcoming ceremony was attended by Latvian Defense Minister Raivis Melnis and Turkey’s Ambassador to Riga, Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu. Minister Melnis stated that the deployment demonstrates the “readiness, alertness, and collective defense capacity of the alliance” and sends a “clear message regarding NATO’s unity and shared defense.” The mission follows a NATO upgrade from routine policing to an active air defense status. This change provides expanded engagement rules for NATO and Turkish pilots, including the authority to directly intercept threats such as unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or aircraft in response to increased regional military activity. Turkish officials maintain that the deployment bolsters NATO’s eastern flank and demonstrates Turkey’s growing role in collective defence. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: Turkish F-16s deploy to Latvia for NATO Baltic Air Policing Two Turkish F-16s have deployed to Latvia from Estonia as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, strengthening the alliance's eastern flank and air defense capabilities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-f-16s-deploy-to-latvia-for-nato-baltic-air-policing ### 2026-08-16: Turkish Air Force conducts NATO missions in Romania and Estonia Turkish Air Force assets are conducting NATO missions in Romania and Estonia, including milestone low-speed interception training and Enhanced Air Policing operations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-air-force-conducts-nato-missions-in-romania-and-estonia ### 2026-08-01: Turkish F-16s Assume NATO Baltic Air Policing Duty at Estonia's Ämari Base Turkey deployed five F‑16s and ~80 staff to Estonia’s Ämari Base, assuming NATO Baltic air policing duties from Aug 1 to Nov 30 2026 in a 24/7 alert role. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-deploys-f-16-fighters-to-estonia-for-nato-baltic-air-policing ### 2026-07-28: Turkey deploys F-16 jets to Estonia for NATO Baltic Air Policing Turkey is sending five F‑16 jets and 76 staff to Estonia for NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission from August‑November, boosting air defence near Russia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-deploys-f-16-jets-to-estonia-for-nato-baltic-air-policing ### 2026-07-26: Turkey deploys five F-16 jets to Estonia for NATO Baltic Air Policing Turkey will station five F‑16s and 76 crew at Estonia’s Ämari Base from Aug‑Nov 2026 for NATO Baltic Air Policing, providing 24/7 air‑space protection for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-deploys-f-16-fighters-to-nato-baltic-air-policing-mission --- Cite as: Turkey participation in NATO Baltic Air Policing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-participation-in-nato-baltic-air-policing