Colonel Antanas Matutis

Commander Lithuanian Air Force

Colonel Antanas Matutis has served as Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force since 28 June 2022, following more than two decades of distinguished military aviation and leadership experience. After graduating from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University's Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute and completing the Military Academy Reserve Officer's Course, he joined the Lithuanian Air Force in 1999 as a helicopter pilot. Over his military career, Colonel Matutis has accumulated approximately 1,900 flight hours on platforms including the Mi-8, Cessna-172 and Cessna-152, while continuing active flying duties on the Mi-8 helicopter. He has held a wide range of operational and command appointments, including Senior Pilot, Flight Commander, Deputy Commander and Commander of the Helicopter Squadron, Chief of A3 at Lithuanian Air Force Headquarters, and Chief of S3 at the Air Force Base. Colonel Matutis has extensive operational deployment experience in Afghanistan. In 2011, he served as a helicopter pilot-instructor with the Lithuanian-led Multinational Air Advisory Team, returning in 2014 as its Commander. Between 2017 and 2022, he commanded the Lithuanian Air Force Air Base in Šiauliai. His professional military education includes studies in Lithuania, the United States and across Europe, including graduation from the Air Command and Staff College, Air University, and the Baltic Defence College's Higher Command Studies Course. He has received numerous national and international military honours for service, leadership and operational excellence.