NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission Medal

The NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission Medal is a medal established in 2012 by the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) to reward military personnel and civilians who take part in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.

A person is eligible for the medal if they take part in one rotation of the Baltic Air Policing mission for 30 days, either consecutively or cumulatively. An exception is made for the crews of the fighter aircraft: they are immediately eligible for the medal after completing one flight. In addition, the medal may also be awarded in the event of death, disappearance or injury if the required 30-day period has consequently not been completed. The medal may be awarded to the same person multiple times if that person again meets the 30-day requirement during a new rotation.

The Baltic Air Policing Mission Medal is unusual because it is rare for several countries to jointly establish a single decoration. Since the Netherlands was assigned to participate in the Baltic Air Policing mission for a third time in 2017, this medal will probably be awarded to Dutch people more often in the future.