The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LK) issued a public warning stating that residents in certain areas will hear sounds reminiscent of explosions on Friday. This is attributed to training exercises being conducted by F-18 fighter jets flying overhead. The loud sounds may be a result of supersonic flights, and citizens are advised not to be alarmed as these exercises are carried out by allied forces as part of their operations in Lithuania.

Currently, the NATO air policing mission in Lithuania involves 11 Spanish EF-18 Hornet fighter jets, which have been active since the end of last year. This mission has been a standard practice since Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia joined NATO in March 2004. These missions are intended to bolster air security in the Baltic region amidst various geopolitical tensions and contribute to collective defense measures within the alliance.

The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a versatile multirole fighter jet known for its capability to operate in all weather conditions. Originally developed as a fighter and ground-attack aircraft, it has been in service for decades. The ongoing exercises reflect NATO's commitment to defense cooperation in Eastern Europe and aim to assure both the allied nations and citizens of the protective measures in place against any regional threats.