US F-22 Raptor jets arrive in Poland’s Łask Air Base
United States Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jets on Thursday (August 4) arrived at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask, Poland (Łódź Voivodeship). “One of the state-of-the-art fighter jets in the world are coming to Poland as part of #NATOAirShielding mission on the eastern flank of the Alliance” – Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said on Twitter. The ministry had informed last week that American F-22 crews would be training together with Polish pilots.
“F-22 Raptor fighter jets from the 90th Fighter Squadron # USA have landed at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask. One of the state-of-the-art fighter jets in the world are coming to Poland as part of #NATOAirShielding mission on the eastern flank of the Alliance, “Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak confirmed on Twitter on Thursday.
NATO Air Command informed on July 27 that the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jets had arrived at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, en route to the 32nd Tactical Air Base, Łask, Poland, to support NATO’s Air Shielding mission.
“The F-22 Raptor performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and its fifth generation capability contributes to the Air Shielding mission enhancing interoperability and cohesion among Allied nations. Integration with NATO Allies and Partners further demonstrates the Alliance’s dedication to deter and defend in an increasingly complex and changing security environment, “NATO Air Command said in a press release at its website.
“The US deployment of their fifth generation fighter aircraft boosts NATO’s posture for assurance, deterrence and defense in Europe. Together with other Allies’ contributions this deployment is a clear expression of NATO’s commitment to readiness which promotes regional security and stability,” we read.
Furthermore, NATO said that following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “there has been an increased use of missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and combat aircraft close to the borders of NATO nations”. “This increases the air and missile threat to NATO territory and populations, primarily due to potential miscalculation or loss of guidance or control”.
“The NATO Air Shielding mission integrates Allied Air and Surface Based Air and Missile Defense units into the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense system under NATO Command and Control. It will provide a near seamless shield from the Baltic to Black Seas, ensuring NATO Allies are better able to safeguard and protect Alliance, populations and forces from air and missile threat, “NATO said.