F-16s Deploy to Poland for Exercise

Four F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 100 airmen from the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing deployed to Lask AB, Poland, on Sep. 3 in support of Aviation Detachment 16-4, a bilateral training exercise between the two countries, according to a press release. Because Polish air force pilots have a decade of experience flying F-16s, the exercise will include a wide range of scenarios. “We’re going to be doing a whole mix of what the F-16 does. Air-to-air, advanced air-to-air, air-to-ground, and then we’ll get into some close air support,” said Lt. Col. Quenten Esser, 114th Operations Group commander. “The No. 1 goal is to assure our allies in Europe. To show up, have a presence, do a little bit of training, and build partner capacity.” The deployment also included a visit with Polish cadets who are completing masters-level studies in engineering.