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RAMSTEIN, Germany - Italian Eurofighters fly out of Malbork Air Base, Poland, executing NATO Air Policing together with the Polish Air Force, to safeguard the skies and conduct interoperability training. 

NATO’s air forces are operating together constantly protecting and shielding the Alliance’s eastern flank from Norway to the Black Sea via the Baltic Sea

Deployed at Malbork since February 2024, Italian Eurofighters have taken to the skies regularly to safeguard NATO airspace over Poland intercepting Russian aircraft flying close to Alliance territory over international waters.

Deployed to Malbork since February 2024, Italian Euofighters have been ready 24/7 to launch under NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre Uedem and the Polish Air Operations Centre at Warsaw to keep Alliance skies safe. Archive photo courtesy Italian Air Force.

Combined training sorties - like during this event with Italian Eurofighters and Polish F-16s - is mission essential to maintain pilot skills and hone interoperability among air forces. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force.

Air-to-Air Refuelling is an key enabler for NATO operations. Constant training of  tactics, techniques and procedures makes sure Allied air forces are ready and responsive where and when needed. Photo courtesy Italian Air Force.

An Italian Eurofighter escorts a Russian military aircraft near NATO airspace over international waters in the Baltic Sea; these missions are essential because NATO needs to be aware of air activity in its area of responsibility. Archive photo courtesy Italian Air Force.

Besides conducting dissimilar air combat training with Polish F-16s and other deployed NATO fighters in the region, they also practice air-to-air refuelling drills. These activities highlight the cohesion and interoperability of Allies and the high level of professionalism across NATO’s air forces.

NATO’s air forces are operating together constantly protecting and shielding the Alliance’s eastern flank from Norway to the Black Sea via the Baltic Sea. The Italian Air Force Eurofighters deployed at Malbork, Poland, are one element of the collective defence posture that keeps Allied populations and territory safe and secure.