Home  /  Newsroom  /  2020  /  Portuguese “Vipers” to Train and Exercise in Poland

RAMSTEIN, Germany – In September and October, the Portuguese Air Force will deploy up to 95 military personnel and four F-16M “Viper” fighter aircraft to Malbork Air Base, Poland, to conduct training and exercise activities with NATO Allies and Partners.

The Portuguese Air Force’s operational deployment takes place under the umbrella of NATO’s Assurance Measures and allows combined training with NATO forces in the region. The F-16 fighters will join other NATO Allies and Partners during exercises contributing directly to the principle of Allied interoperability and collective defence.

Portuguese F-16 "Vipers" deployed to Malbork last year to train and exercise with Allies and Partners. The pictures shows them flying in a formation with Swedish Air Force JAS-39 "Gripen" in April 2019.
Archive photo courtesy Portuguese Air Force 

Our F-16 "Vipers” are capable to conduct multi-role missions both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground, which offers great flexibility and provides for first-rate training opportunities with our friends

"My team is scheduled to start the deployment on September 1 and our jets will arrive on September 4,” said the Portuguese detachment commander, Major Duarte Freitas. “Our F-16 "Vipers” are capable to conduct multi-role missions both Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground, which offers great flexibility and provides for first-rate training opportunities with our friends,” he added.

The Portuguese contingent will be deployed for roughly two months. The jets will then redeploy to their home base at Monte Real. After their deployment the pilots, support staff and fighters will return to ensure Air Policing missions over Portugal under the NATO-wide 24/7 peacetime operations.