Action and reaction
It should be interesting in Šiauliai these days: residents of this town has the theoretical possibility to see one of the most advanced fighter planes in the world. Several US air force F/A-22 Raptor fighter jets landed in Zokniai air force base.
Few weeks ago Russian fighter jets engaged USS ship on the route to Klaipėda port and US reconessaince plane over the Baltics in the classical Cold war style. This wasn't true military engagements but the will to show "superiority" and probably the desire to freighten Americans and roll them back from the Baltics. In fact the result was exactly the opposite: now NATO military forces in Baltic will have "Raptor" coverage (photos from lrytas.lt):
"Raptors" are leaving US soil extremely rarely. US refused to sell this plane to any other country in the world including such close allies as UK, Australia and Japan (all these countries got officials refusals to sell "Raptors" to them). And here "Raptors" are under special supervision: inside Zokniai air force special zone was designated for them which is guarded by US servicemen on a 24/7 basis:
Only some high ranking representatives had the privilege to see and to touch "Raptor":)
It seems that journalists don't had any problems to see and to touch (if they wish :))) other planes:
On the fly:
Few weeks ago Russian fighter jets engaged USS ship on the route to Klaipėda port and US reconessaince plane over the Baltics in the classical Cold war style. This wasn't true military engagements but the will to show "superiority" and probably the desire to freighten Americans and roll them back from the Baltics. In fact the result was exactly the opposite: now NATO military forces in Baltic will have "Raptor" coverage (photos from lrytas.lt):
"Raptors" are leaving US soil extremely rarely. US refused to sell this plane to any other country in the world including such close allies as UK, Australia and Japan (all these countries got officials refusals to sell "Raptors" to them). And here "Raptors" are under special supervision: inside Zokniai air force special zone was designated for them which is guarded by US servicemen on a 24/7 basis:
Only some high ranking representatives had the privilege to see and to touch "Raptor":)
It seems that journalists don't had any problems to see and to touch (if they wish :))) other planes:
On the fly: