"You have excellent combat planes. But the most important aspect is the Israeli Air Force's experience", claimed Commander of the Polish Air Force, General Lech Majewski, in a special interview for the IAF site. "We're very grateful to the IAF for sharing its experience. This is one of the best exercises we've been a part of: We've participated in practices in various countries, but Israel's level is particularly high, with regard to the pilots, the planes and the exercises as well. Although our methods and planes are similar, in every exercise the small details are very important".
Throughout the weeklong joint exercise, polish F-16 squadrons engage in aerial battles against the IAF's enemy simulation squadron, "The Flying Dragon", along with F-15 and F-16 squadrons. The topographical conditions in Poland, similarly to other European countries, don't allow the Polish Air Force to fly in low altitudes and practice freely. The exercise in Israel, on the other hand, allows them a particularly wide range of practice options. The IAF also has much to gain from the cooperation. "We learn from every foreign air force that belongs from NATO and arrives here", explains Deputy Commander of the "Flying Dragon" Squadron, Major Roy. "We study the operational methods in NATO and the international ways of flying, particularly in terms of coordination among planes, international codes and combat doctrines that are based on situations in which not all planes depart from the same country. In fact, we learn about international coordination".
General Majewsky also adds that part of the cooperation's purpose was to learn about the IAF's tactics, the various briefings and debriefings, and about the mentality in general. "I hope that we have additional joint exercises in the future", said Commander of the Polish Air Force. "We invite you to Poland, perhaps even next year".