Poland’s Operational Command said the aircraft are based at the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork and will assume combat air patrols starting Saturday.
Their presence strengthens the NATO quick reaction alert system and “directly increases the level of protection” of Poland’s airspace and the alliance’s eastern flank, the command said.
It added that Poland’s air defenses run continuous, fully integrated 24/7 duty within NATO structures, with the Polish Air Force maintaining immediate response capability.
NATO said the Malbork detachment will fly the alliance’s Air Policing mission under Operation Eastern Sentry, providing 24-hour airspace protection. The deployment includes five fighters and about 150 service members from Germany’s Tactical Air Wing 31 “Boelcke.”
“The deployment of our fighters and soldiers to Poland underscores Germany’s steadfast commitment to collective security in the Euro-Atlantic area,” the German detachment commander said, according to NATO.
His name was not released; only his callsign, “colonel,” was provided. He said the unit will be stationed in Poland for the next four months.
During the mission, German pilots and ground crews will work closely with the Polish Air Force and NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, which directs regional Air Policing activities.
This is the second German Air Force detachment reinforcing NATO air protection under Air Policing. Since April, German Eurofighters have also been operating from Romania.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24