This is the first time that Polish fighter aircraft have joined the NATO mission in the region. As of Monday, September 6, the Polish Air Force F-16 will be patrolling the skies above Iceland for three weeks. The detachment will be on 24/7 standby with their four fighter aircraft ready to safeguard the skies and continue the long-standing enduring mission of NATO Air Policing over Iceland.

As a member of the Polish Air Force I am proud to see my compatriots here at Iceland, demonstrating their skills and their level of integration into NATO's enduring Air Policing mission

"As a member of the Polish Air Force I am proud to see my compatriots here at Iceland, demonstrating their skills and their level of integration into NATO's enduring Air Policing mission," said Brigadier General Slawomir Zakowski, Deputy Commander of CAOC Uedem. "The Polish Air Force shows their commitment to the Alliance here and at home, where we conduct 24/7 Air Policing and where we host a Turkish F-16 detachment," he added. 

The CAOC Uedem certification team exposed the Polish F-16 fighters to strict drills confirming they have all the necessary procedures in place to respond to real-world situations and fly safely in the Icelandic airspace.

"As an Ally on NATO's eastern flank, we are very aware of the importance of readiness, deterrence and defence," said General Zakowski. "Here in Iceland and at home, we focus on cooperation and interoperability and we work together along common tactics, techniques and procedures and demonstrate cohesion," he added.

Our duty here is to protect the airspace of our Ally Iceland. This is the same job we do at home and collectively with our NATO Allies

"Our duty here is to protect the airspace of our Ally Iceland. This is the same job we do at home and collectively with our NATO Allies," said Lieutenant Colonel Michał Kras, commander of the Polish F-16 detachment at Keflavik. "We will help other aircraft needing our support and – when needed - deter those who fly close to or threaten Icelandic airspace. With our unit certified under NATO Air Policing procedures in Iceland, we are now ready to perform 24/7,"he added.

Given its unique geographical location, Allies, in conjunction with the Icelandic authorities, have agreed that the appropriate response is to maintain a periodic presence of NATO fighter aircraft based at Keflavik Air Base to help keep Icelandic airspace safe and secure. The focus of the "peacetime preparedness mission" is to carry out routine flying training and exercises for the Alliance to meet Iceland's requirements and needs to stay prepared, to monitor and to manage its airspace in peacetime.