Four Polish F-16s took the lead of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission on Tuesday from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The F-16s will operate out of Siauliai AB, Lithuania, and will be supported by five Spanish F-18s, which will operate out of Amari AB, Estonia. Spain replaced the German Air Force in its support role. This is the sixth time Poland has led air policing mission, according to a NATO release.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…