RAMSTEIN, Germany - U.S. Air Force F-35s from RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, deployed to Ƚask Air Base, Poland, for an Agile Combat Employment enhancing expeditionary capabilities, interoperability and combined flying procedures with Polish fighter jets.
Collaboration with NATO Allies, like with the Polish Air Force, strengthens collective defence capabilities across the European theatre
Based on an ongoing bilateral agreement between Poland and the United States to secure the eastern flank, the F-35s have taken over from a previously deployed F-16 squadron from Spangdahlem, Germany. The U.S. Air Force’s forward presence in Poland represents the U.S.’ proven and indispensable support to NATO Allies and European partners. The value of having U.S. F-35s in Poland underscores the ability to move assets forward quickly to support and defend Allies in the region.
In 2019, two U.S. Air Force F-35 aircraft deployed to the Polish Air Base at Powidz Air Base for the first time testing the ability to function at locations other than the main bases. U.S. Air Force archive photo by Milton Hamilton.
In April 2024, U.S. Air Force F-35 deployed to Ƚask Air Base, Poland conducted integration training with Polish Air Force F-16 jets over the Polish coast on the Baltic Sea. Photo by Bartosz Bera.
Combined flying sorties- like between U.S. F-35s and Polish F-16s - strengthen collective defence capabilities across the European theatre training together to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. Photo by Bartosz Bera.
The F-35s operate under the “Expeditionary Air Base Squadron concept which enables U.S. Air Forces in Europe to rapidly establish credible, combat-ready forces to proactively deter adversary threats of aggression. It also provides U.S. European Command and NATO senior leaders with strategic options to position forward assets, engage threats without delay, and support Allies and partners with overwhelming Airpower at a moment’s notice.
The U.S. F-35s' operations in Poland are similar to NATO’s Air Shielding mission, both ensuring the stability and security of NATO’s airspace by coordinating, controlling, and exploiting the air and space domains to better protect Allied populations and territory. Just like NATO Air Shielding, our U.S. F-35s in Poland increase readiness and interoperability of Allied aircraft.
“The deployment of U.S. F-35s in Poland is evidence of our enduring commitment to our NATO Allies and to a whole, free, and peaceful Europe. We are ready, postured and well prepared to integrate with our host nations, Allies and partners to deter threats and defend the Alliance,” said a U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces in Africa spokes person. “Collaboration with NATO Allies, like with the Polish Air Force, strengthens collective defence capabilities across the European theatre. We seize every opportunity to train together to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures to improve military readiness, tactical proficiency, and interoperability," the spokesperson added.