Aircrews and maintainers of the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing recently wrapped up a month-long bilateral training rotation to USAF’s aviation detachment at Lask AB, Poland. The 100 Air Guardsmen from the 169th FW partnered with Active Duty airmen from the 480th Fighter Squadron to train with the Polish Air Force’s 32nd Tactical Air Wing in F-16 operations. The rotation, part of expanded training and engagement activities in Europe connected to Operation Atlantic Resolve, marked the first AvDet rotation to include USAF Active Duty and Air Guard F-16 units in Poland. During their stay at Lask, the crews and maintainers participated in a series of events, such as Exercise Saber Strike, Exercise Baltic Operations 15, Eagle Talon, and Ramstein Guard allowing airmen to participate in air, land, and sea tactical training events with high-end simulated threats.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
