U.S. Air Force fifth-generation fighters supporting NATO Allied Air Command’s Air Shielding mission along NATO's Eastern Flank executed an Agile Combat Employment to Câmpia Turzii, Romania, from May 22-25, 2023, alongside the Romanian and Italian Air Forces.
In early April, Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed 12 F-22 Raptors to Powidz Air Base, Poland in support of the critical mission, which augments the Alliance’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) and Counter-Integrated Air Defense System (C-IADS) capabilities to safeguard the nearly 1,500-mile-long border along NATO’s Eastern Flank.
Refueling missions, air-land integration and coalition exercises allow U.S. forces, Allies and partners to maintain interoperability. By rapidly fielding forces alongside NATO Allies along the Eastern Flank, U.S. Air Forces in Europe highlight the operational readiness of Ally and partner forces throughout Europe, and their ability to respond to defend NATO territory.