Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1407425
fighters also allowed the Polish pilots to take a closer look at the capabilities of the AESA radars, and the use of those radars in com- bat. Both types of the US aircraft listed above have recently been upgraded with new radars - APG-63(v)3 and AN/APG-82(v)1 respec- tively. The opportunity made it possible to depict the scale of ad- vantages, a solution as such entails - with the new sensors installed on the 4+ upgraded aircraft. It is not a secret that the AESA sensor is at the top of the list of possible and desirable upgrades that the Polish F-16s may receive. As the days went by, the defensive sce- nario gradually transformed itself into an offensive one, in which a major emphasis was placed on COMAO sorties (Composite Air Operations, involving multiple aircraft of multiple types). The Polish pilots, within the framework of COMAO sorties, were also assigned the MC (Mission Commander) role, having the flagship USAF strike asset - the F-15E - at their disposal. In this phase, the 480th Fighter Squadron's Wild Weasels also played a crucial role - conducting the can host so many aircraft, providing efficient support within the scope of logistics, but they also have shown that, thanks to the standardized training and procedures, the Polish Air Force can participate and carry out a common, joint air operation. The political and diplomatic bene- fits cannot be overlooked as well. Even though the exercise had been preplanned, the dates that were aligned with the Russian powerplay near the Ukrainian border could have been (and probably were) per- ceived as a strong signal NATO sent to its eastern flank allies. Special thanks go to commanders and soldiers of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing, 31st Tactical Air Base, and 32nd Tactical Air Base - without whom the above article would not have taken shape. AVIATION