On May 3, Italian Air Force F-35s assumed responsibility of NATO Baltic Air Policing duties at Ämari base in Estonia. NATO Baltic Air Policing has been operational since 2004 when Estonia joined the alliance but this is the first time the F-35 is leading the air patrol. The Baltics mission is similar to the Icelandic Air Policing duties the Italian team has previously carried out with their F-35s. Read on to understand why NATO allies must be vigilant and ready to deter and defend in this region.