Poland continues to build its relationship with the United States as both nations' air forces integrate their capabilities in a joint theater security cooperation event July 15-26, 2013.
This marks the third time U.S. aircraft have flown into Poland as part of a partnership-building initiative that began in October 2012.
"We are demonstrating the commitment that we've made to Poland," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Spears, commander of Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group.
The aviation detachment began in 2011 as a discussion between the U.S. ambassador to Poland and the Polish Defense Minister. In June of that year, the two signed a memorandum authorizing and creating the detachment. Since the detachment's opening in 2012, both militaries have worked to solidify the positions and create a long-standing, enduring American presence in the country.
"We consider them one of our top allies, and it's an ally that we want to improve our relationship with and partnership with," Spears said. "So, the aviation detachment is a mechanism with which we can strengthen that partnership."
The detachment is the administrative hub of an aerial training program and is part of the 52nd Fighter Wing from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. For this rotation, the U.S. aircraft are from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy -- a major air combat asset of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
During each rotation, the detachment balances the training needs of participating aircraft. Both Aviano and Lask employ the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, and some of the training will focus on communication effectiveness and familiarization of techniques.
"We get to learn from our allies," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Jason Monaco, officer in charge of the 510th FS during the rotation. "We get to train with them at all levels, whether it's the pilots flying the jets, the maintenance guys turning the wrenches or the guys building the bombs -- we get to see what the Polish air force does.
"And that's something we don't get when we're just working with each other back home," he added.
Spears said the Polish government's hospitality has been indicative of their eagerness to share security efforts across Europe, and hosting the U.S. military in their country is not the first time that Poland has demonstrated their commitment to peace.
"When you look at the history of the two nations, you find that this isn't a new partnership," Spears said. "It's a partnership and heritage that dates back to our county's existence. Really, we're continuing on those traditions and that heritage, because we do value Poland as a nation and a partner in NATO."
Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LASK AIR BASE, Poland
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Members of the Polish air traffic control tower coordinate flying operations July 16, 2013. Poland and the United States continue to strengthen their military interoperability through continued partnerships, such as the aviation detachment's training sessions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee)
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Polish air force commander Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski speaks with U.S. services members from Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2013, during a two-week aerial training course. The general visited the base to view firsthand the partnership between his country and the United States. The training is conducted through Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
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Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, listen to a speech from Polish Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski here July 17, 2013. The Airmen from Aviano make up the third overall aircraft rotation to Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group. The aviation detachment is the training hub for U.S. and Polish partnership building events, such as this two-week aerial training course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
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Polish Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski inspects the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft July 17, 2013. Poland has employed the F-16 since 2006, and the tactics differ from U.S. pilots. The object of this two-week training course is to better integrate air capabilities and strengthen peace within the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
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Polish air force commander Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski speaks with U.S. services members from Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 17, 2013, during a two-week aerial training course. The general visited the base to view firsthand the partnership between his country and the United States. The training is conducted through Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee)
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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft pilot acknowledges a wave from a Polish air force maintainer July 16, 2013. The F-16, from Aviano Air Base, Italy, taxied toward the arming station before beginning the day's training session. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee)
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A Polish air force pilot performs a preflight check on his aircraft July 16, 2013. The first week of training focus on integrated close air support. The training scenarios become more difficult as the two-week course progresses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee)
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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from Aviano Air Base, Italy, launches during a training mission July 16, 2013. Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group is an American training presence in Poland that works with Polish military leadership to organize four aircraft rotations a year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee)
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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Nicholas Dewulf, 510th Fighter Squadron pilot, conducts a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon, July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron is preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. The training will help strengthen interoperability as NATO Allies through regular combined training exercises and military-to-military engagement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Nicholas Dewulf, 510th Fighter Squadron pilot, conducts a pre-flight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon, July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron is preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. The training will help strengthen interoperability as NATO Allies through regular combined training exercises and military-to-military engagement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force pilots with the 510th Fighter Squadron conduct preflight checks on F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (DoD photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force pilots with the 510th Fighter Squadron conduct preflight checks on F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Nicholas Dewulf, foreground, a pilot with the 510th Fighter Squadron, conducts a preflight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Anthony David, a crew chief with the 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, signals a pilot to stop July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Anthony David, a crew chief with the 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, signals a pilot to stop July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron takes off July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron taxis toward a runway July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron take off July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron take off July 12, 2013, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The 510th Fighter Squadron was preparing to participate in a week-long training exercise between the United States and Polish Air Forces. In October 2012, the U.S. Air Force established the first permanent U.S. military presence in Poland. Together with a rotational deployment of U.S. military aircraft, the Air Force supported Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and NATO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lotz/Released)
Poland Aviation Detachment 13-3
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A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from Aviano Air Base, Italy, begins landing procedures here July 12, 2013. The Polish air force F-16s rest on the taxiway before beginning a training flight. The United States and Poland are strengthening their combined air power by exercising together during a two-week aviation detachment rotation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
Poland, US unite during two-week aerial training
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U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft taxi off of the flightline here July 12, 2013. The six aircraft are from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and are participating in the third aircraft rotation to Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group. The aviation detachment is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Polish and U.S. ties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
Poland, US unite during two-week aerial training
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U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft taxi off of the flightline here July 12, 2013. Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group serves as a training hub for U.S. and Polish aircrew. This third rotation of aircraft is from the 510th Fighter Squadron out of Aviano Air Base, Italy. The first rotation included the C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and the second rotation were F-16s from the Wisconsin Air National Guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
Poland, US unite during two-week aerial training
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The intake cover on a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft showcases the shield of the 510th Fighter Squadron from Aviano Air Base, Italy. Six aircraft deployed to Poland as part of a partnership-building event July 15-26, 2013. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
Poland, US unite during two-week aerial training
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A line of Polish air force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft line the taxiway here July 16, 2013. The U.S. and Polish air forces flew two training missions today as part of a two-week partnership building effort. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee/Released)
Joint training validates NATO peace commitment
