Six F-22s arrived at RAF Lakenheath, UK, on their way to Poland. The US Air Force continues to increase its presence of fifth-generation fighters in the region.

The aircraft will be tasked with supporting a new mission for NATO upon their arrival in Poland. Air shielding is intended to protect NATO nations from air and missile threats by leveraging air- and ground-based air defence assets, as Air Force Magazine, reports. 

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak told Polskie Radio that the American aircraft are to ensure  „patrolling, cooperation with the Polish air force, and thus building interoperability, exercises of Polish airmen and American airmen as well as the air forces of allied countries„.

As the minister explained, representatives of the air forces of other NATO countries are also rotating in Poland, and all this serves to „deter the aggressor and show that the North Atlantic Alliance is in solidarity with each other and builds capabilities that can constitute and determine the security of our homeland„.

According to USAFE commander Gen. James B. Hecker, air shielding “will provide a near seamless shield from the Baltic to Black Seas, ensuring NATO Allies are better able to safeguard and protect Alliance territory, populations and forces from air and missile threat.” 

A recent press release by USAFE called the whole undertaking a “highly strategic platform to support NATO Air Shielding.”

“The deployment of F-22 Raptor fighters in Poland is one of the most serious signals that the United States can send in terms of aviation”, – said Mariusz Cielma from New Military Technique in an interview with TVN24. 

Image: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock/DVIDS

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen