MONT-DE-MARSAN AIR BASE, FRANCE – French Air Force (FAF) Rafale fighter jets are patrolling the skies over Poland, supporting their allies in the Polish Air Force. Since February 24, 2022 Rafale fighter jets from Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in southern France have been flying air patrol missions over Poland, augmenting the Polish Air Force’s standing air policing efforts, as well as those of U.S. Air Force fighters that have been forward-deployed to Poland, as part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance activity in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NATO has since enhanced its defensive posture in the eastern part of the alliance, with more land, air and maritime forces deployed across the NATO area from various allied countries. The Rafales have been aided in their mission by the FAF fleet of aerial refuelers, which help the fighter jets cover Polish airspace for longer periods of time.

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Head photo: NATO / French Air Force