Past and future of Šiauliai Air Base

Šiauliai Air Base is one of the major airfields in the Baltics used by NATO.

In 1931, an airfield was built specifically for Lithuanian Air Force. In 1940 airfield was placed at the disposal of the Red Army.

After the Second World War, the airfield was expanded and specially transformed for the needs of Soviet aviation.

In 1993, Russian troops were withdrawn from the territory of Lithuania. The airfield was partially re-equipped to receive civilian flights, but remained the basis of the Lithuanian Air Force.

In 2004, Lithuania joined NATO, and the Air Force of the Alliance were deployed at the airfield. The airfield is also used to refuel cargo and transit aircraft.

Author: The Baltic Word
Source: balticword.com