On May 15th 2024 Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has met with the commanders and soldiers of the Air Force taking part in the Astral Knight 2024 excercise.

- It is the 6th edition of these excercises. The F-35, F-16, F-15 and FA-50 planes are all deployed during it. We are grateful to all those who contributed to the creation of this excericse, which is conducted in Polish territory and in the Baltic states. It would not have been possible if not for the investment in security. There is no NATO without the United States, and there is no United States might of the United States as a global power without NATO. We are keenly aware of this. We are a connector between Europe and the United States. We also know that there are no free states, free nations without cooperation, without preparing all that is tied with the unassailable readiness to defend our Fatherland

- the head of Ministry of National Defence stressed.

Astral Knight 2024 is an excercise of the United States Air Force in Europe, taking place between 6 – 17 of May in Poland and in the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia). Their main goal is to expand the integration of air and missile defence systems as well as building command and control architecture in the air domain. As a result, allied forces will increase their ability to react to common threats. Approximately 5 thousand soldiers from 6 countries and over 50 aircraft are taking part in the excercise. Besides the Polish and US Air Forces, airmen from Lithuania and Great Britain are also involved in it, with Denmark and Greece taking part as AK24 observers.

- Just as the F-16s changed the Air Force, so will the F-35s change the polish Armed Forces. In August the first of these planes will be in the American air, but crewed by Polish soldiers. Trainings will be conducted there, but the planes will belong to the Polish Armed Forces

- the Deputy Prime Minister said.

- Air defence, missile defence – intergated. An even greater challenge for Europe is needed here. Europe should share its capabilities. If there is one thing that the national armies can doubtlessly exchange, it is air defence

- the Minister of National Defence underscored

Astral Knight involves the integration of multinational IAMD (Integrated Air-and-Missile Defence) resources, with simultaneous use of the FTX (Field Training Excercise) and LVC (Live Virtual Constructive) methods. In the process of planning and executing the excercise a key role is played by the officers of the 183rd Air Operations Group (AOG) and those of the Air Operation Centre-Command of Air Force Component, who in the course of their bilateral cooperation systematically work to integrate these „partner units”, building integration capabilities and strengthening interpersonal ties.

- This is a crucial issue. Security, cooperation, national unity. Collaboration within the North Atlantic Alliance. The Polish-American alliance is the strongest it’s ever been. It is a strategic alliance, a choice tied to our security, but also our civilization. We hold the same values: demoracy, justice and liberty, independence, sovereignty, a respect for history and civilizational heritage. It ties us together. (…) I thank all our allies in Europe. We are fulfilling all our obligations, we are a loyal ally and we believe in the strength of NATO, the strength of the Alliance, in the strength of liberty. We deeply believe that together we can work miracles. Alone we would not be capable of doing anything

- said the Deputy Prime Minister, speaking of the Polish – American relations.

The Astral Knight 24 excercise is at the same time an important military initiative and an expression of interoperability within NATO. Polish Air Force is today an important element of the security of NATO. However, we are not only the ones who can feel safe thanks to NATO – we also deliver this security, for example by taking part in excercises like Astral Knight 24.

Gallery >>> Astral Knight 24 – command and control in the air domain.