Prague, July 16 (CTK) – Czech pilots with four L-159 combat aircraft are training intervention against planes violating airspace at the Baltic Eye 2016 exercise in Lithuania, Tomas Maruscak, press and information officer of the 21st tactic air base in Caslav, central Bohemia, has told CTK.
The exercise will last until Monday, he added.
Situations where an intruder is identified in the final phase as either a hostile or friendly plane are being simulated during the flights of Czech pilots.
“Along with air controllers, we are deciding whether and how we will intervene against the plane,” Maruscak said.
During air fights beyond the visibility level, shooting of medium-range missiles is simulated.
The Caslav squadron has sent four L-159 Alca aircraft to the exercise.
This is our first training of air fights two to two within an international exercise, Maruscak said .
Pilots have praised the exercise saying they can train the types of flights for which they had not time in the Czech Republic. Mainly the JAS-39 Gripen fighters are to secure air fighting in the Czech Republic.
The Baltic Eye 2016 II exercise started on Monday when the ground personnel with equipment arrived in the country. The four combat aircraft landed in Lithuania shortly afterwards.
The exercise will culminate with joint flights of Czech and Lithuanian aircraft within the Composite Air Operations (COMAO).
