Migration
Aviano F-16s join Baltic exercise
Stars and Stripes
June 2, 2016
A 510th Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon departs Aviano Air Base, Italy, for Poland, on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, to participate in maritime exercise BALTOPS 2016. The exercise allows participating nations to demonstrate air defense, maritime interdiction, anti-subsurface warfare, mine countermeasures and amphibious operations. (Krystal Ardrey/U.S. Air Force)
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Fourteen F-16s from the 510th Fighter Squadron have deployed from Aviano Air Base to Poland to participate in exercises and bilateral training with the Polish air force.
BALTOPS 16 begins Friday and involves about 6,100 personnel from 15 NATO nations and two partner countries. The annual exercise, held for the 44th time, runs through June 19 and takes place in the Baltic Sea as well as Estonia, Finland, Germany, Poland and Sweden. It focuses on sea and air defense of the region.
More than two dozen American aircraft from five units are participating, according to U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The "Buzzards" are also expected to participate in exercises Saber Strike 16 and Anakonda. They’ll also fly in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which demonstrates American commitment to its NATO allies near their borders with Russia.