Polish pilots take to the skies with US counterparts

by Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/4/2014 - Lask Air Base, Poland  -- Poland continues to build its relationship with the U.S. as both nations' air forces integrate their capabilities through training sorties in a joint theater capacity.

Since the Polish air force implemented the use of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft to their inventory in the past ten years, they have been combining training exercises with U.S. Air Forces in Europe to strengthen bilateral defense ties as NATO allies.

Currently, more than 200 personnel and 12 F-16s assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, have been conducting joint training out of the Aviation Detachment, marking the fourth rotation at the only enduring U.S. presence on Polish soil.

The AvDet optimizes the use of Poland's ranges and airspace to enhance both countries' flight tactics and maneuvers. The goal of this increased cooperation between the U.S. and Poland is to strengthen interoperability.