Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1532587
Over the years, Poland's F-16C/D have been intensively operated. In May 2021, their total flight time surpassed 100,000 hours. During this period, they participated in the U.S. Red Flag Alaska 12-2 exercise in June 2012 and pro- vided airspace security for NATO allies under Air Policing missions. This included six rotations in the Baltic states be- tween 2017 and 2023, as well as a mission in Iceland from August to October 2021. Additionally, Poland has played a role in safeguarding Slovakia's airspace after Slovakia transferred its MiG-29s to Ukraine in 2022. Slovakia is now gradually introducing the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70 into service. Beyond NATO air operations, Poland deployed four air missions to Kuwait from June 2016 to June 2018. The F-16s were tasked with reconnaissance missions using DB-110 and AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pods in support of coalition forces fighting Islamic fundamentalists in Iraq and Syria. This remains the first such operational deployment in the history of the Polish Air Force. With the reduction of Poland's MiG-29 fleet and the trans- fer of a significant stock of spare parts and weapons to Ukraine under the military aid program, the primary burden of securing Polish airspace now falls on the F-16s. These aircraft are crucial for countering potential border viola- tions by both warring parties in Ukraine. www.fragoutmag.com