Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1536266
potential Russian incursions over the Baltic Sea. However, since February 2022, NATO aircraft have increasingly been dispatched to conduct combat air patrols along the Polish-Ukrainian border, responding to Russian strategic aviation activity and the potential threat of cruise missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. Although these incursions are typically brief, lasting only a few seconds, there have been several incidents in which Russian cruise missiles, such as the Ch-101, have crossed into Polish airspace. As a result, NATO aircraft, including Norwegian F-35s, often remain on standby in the area for extended periods, sometimes requiring air refueling. Tankers, mainly KC-135 from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Mildenhall, have been deployed to ensure that operations can continue uninterrupted. The Polish Operational Command, which is responsible for protecting the country's borders, issues alerts to the public when such operations are underway and when they have been concluded. The first scramble mission involving Norwegian F-35s took place on January 15, 2025, (also confirmed by NATO AIRCOM) and further similar missions on February 1,February 11 and February 25. (reports only from Polish Ops Command). While no violations of Polish airspace were reported during these incidents, the ongoing presence of NATO aircraft demonstrates the alliance's commitment to safeguarding the region. Beyond these alert missions, Norwegian F-35s have also conducted extensive training flights with their Polish counterparts. These "Tango Scramble" missions offer an invaluable opportunity for both nations to strengthen their cooperation and build interoperability between their respective air forces. The Polish Ministry of Defense has highlighted the importance of these exercises, noting that they will help prepare Polish forces for the upcoming arrival of their own F-35s, with the first Polish F-35 scheduled to arrive in 2026 (in February 2025 first Polish pilot flew Lightining in Fort Smith). Norwegian pilots have also conducted Basic Fighter Manoeuvres (BFM) missions against Polish MiG-29s, which are www.fragoutmag.com