U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen discussed defense and NATO issues with Latvian President Vladis Zatlers, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins and Defense Minister Vinets Veldre on Tuesday.
NATO fighters guard the Baltic nations' airspace and perform the peacetime air defense and air policing function. U.S. Air Force F-15 aircraft based at Lakenheath, England, currently have that mission as part of NATO.
"It is a NATO mission that many nations have stepped up to in the past and will continue, certainly through 2011," Mullen said.
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia reached an agreement with NATO on the lease of fighters to patrol their airspace in 2004. Patrols have since been conducted by Belgian, Spanish, Norwegian, German and Danish aircraft.
Mullen said alliance members were having discussions on the Russian actions and all nations remained committed to staying unified on the Georgia invasion.
"It's been pretty clear across the board that NATO was not accepting in any way, shape or form what Russia has done in Georgia," he said.
"All of us are concerned by the recent invasion into Georgia of Russia," he said. "NATO recognizes what the alliance means and the responsibilities and obligations that go with it."
The Baltic States have virtually no aerial capability. They have said they would be unable to acquire their own fighter planes before 2018.
The Baltics' skies are presently secured by the so-called NATO air police, which in addition to fighter planes also provide air defense systems and manpower.
