The F-35 is postured ready to defend the United States and our allies when called upon. In January 2023, F-35As from the Royal Netherlands Air Force landed in Poland to take over NATO Air Policing flights in Baltic Sea region. The Dutch aircraft will operate from January to March 2023. 

The Baltic air-policing mission is a NATO air defense Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) in order to guard the airspace above the three Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 

A total of eight F-35A fighter jets deployed to the Polish 22nd Tactical Air Base at Malbork. They are conducting familiarization flights in preparation for the mission in close cooperation with the Polish Air Force.  

By sending these eight F-35As, the Netherlands underline their commitment to collective security in the region and contribute to showing NATO presence in the air.