Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1407425
tanker. From the Polish point of view, the goal of the exercise was to verify and refine the interoperability, procedures, standards, and tac- tics employed in air operations by the Polish F-16s and US F-15s and F-16s. The scenario of the two-weeks long exercise (whereas the Grim Reapers and their F-15Cs only stayed in Poland during week one, and then they returned to the UK) had two phases. First - defensive sorties were being flown, which later transitioned to offensive missions. Dur- ing the first phase of the exercise, the Polish F-16s were flying in the DCA (Defensive Counter Air Role), in mixed four-ship formations (2xF- 16 plus 2xF-15C). Considering the unique capabilities of the air supe- riority fighter - the F-15C - verifying the compatibility and lethality of such formations has been quite relevant, considering the scenario of a hypothetical defensive operation supported by the US Forces. Defen- sive missions with target transfer between the areas of responsibility handled by the F-15s and F-16s were also a part of the exercise. The cooperation between the Polish F-16s, and the US F-15C and F-15E SEAD operations. In parallel, DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) was also taking place - with dogfights arranged between F-16 and F-15C/E in 1 vs 1, and 1 vs 2 settings. The guests, as usual (this is a usual part of international exercises as such - be it ADR, or NTM) wanted to fight the Polish MiG-29s as well. They get no opportunities as such on a regular basis. The TSA2 area was used as an arena for fights between F-15s and MiG-29s from Minsk Mazowiecki (23rd Tac- tical Air Base), and Malbork (22nd Tactical Air Base). Some scenarios also envisaged AAR support provided by Stratotankers of the 100th Air Refuelling Wing based in RAF Mildenhall. The last ADR rotation allowed both parties involved to reach rele- vant conclusions and results. The Americans have proven that they can reinforce the NATO Eastern Flank rapidly, deploying a major quantity of combat aircraft to the theater. In recent years, so big a detachment of USAF MRCA never deployed to any European state. Meanwhile, not only have the Poles proven that the Polish air bases www.fragoutmag.com