Lithuanian Air Force

Lietuvos karinės oro pajėgos
Insignia of the Lithuanian Air Force
Active	1919 - 1940, 1992 - present
Country	Lithuania
Branch	Air force
Type	Military aviation
Role	To survey, guard and defend the airspace of Lithuania, to support the Lithuanian Land and Naval Forces, to carry out SAR and special operations, to airlift cargo and personnel.
Size	More than 1000 professional military servicemen and non-military personnel; More than 20 aircraft.
Part of	Lithuanian Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ	Kaunas
Anniversaries	23 November 1918 2 January 1991
Commanders
Commander	Brigadier General Artūras Leita
Deputy Commander	Lieutenant Colonel Vidmantas Raklevičius
Chief of Staff	Lieutenant Colonel Sigitas Gudeika
Notable commanders	Brigadier General Antanas Gustaitis
Insignia
Roundel
Flag
Aircraft flown
Attack	L-39ZA
Multirole helicopter	Mi-8MTV-1, Mi-8T, Mi-8PS
Trainer	L-39C, Yak-18T, Yak-52
Transport	C-27J, L-410, An-2

Aircraft

Current

Aircraft	Photo	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Aero L-39 «Albatros»		Czechoslovakia	Trainer\light attack	L-39ZA	2	Were modernised in 2007. The planes are used to train fighter control officers in air policing mission and fighter command officers, also can be used for close air support.
Alenia C-27J «Spartan»		Italy	Medium-sized military transport	C-27J	3	All three delivered.
Let L-410 «Turbolet»		Czechoslovakia	Short-range transport	L-410UVP	2
Antonov An-2 «Colt»		Soviet Union	Light utility	An-2	5	Used for paratrooper training.
Yakovlev Yak-18 «Max»		USSR	Military primary trainer	Yak-18T	1
Yakovlev Yak-52		USSR	Military primary trainer	Yak-52	5
Mil Mi-8 «Hip»		USSR	Utility helicopter	Mi-8MTV-1	1	One Mi-8MTV was modernized to NATO standard. Increasing fuel capacity and installing new avionics.
				Mi-8T	4	3 in storage. All fitted for Search and Rescue operations. 2 of them are always on duty in Kaunas and Nemirseta.
				Mi-8PS	1	VIP modification.
NATO strategic air transport joint program
C-17 Globemaster III		United States	Large military strategic transport	C-17ER	3	Participating in C-17 program Lithuania is provided 45 hours for flying per year using C-17 aircraft for airlift to mission area, and also contribute while creating joint NATO capabilities.
NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance joint program
RQ-4 Global Hawk		United States	Unmanned aerial vehicle	RQ-4B	0 (+8 on order)	Lithuania along with 14 other nations has signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance project.