Enhancement of Deterrence and Readiness: Installation of Barrier Arresting Kit-12 at Malacky Air BaseEnhancement of Deterrence and Readiness: Installation of Barrier Arresting Kit-12 at Malacky Air Base In line with the United States’ commitment to strengthening NATO’s defense capabilities, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) personnel recently completed the installation of a new Barrier Arresting Kit-12 (BAK-12) at Malacky Air Base in Slovakia. This strategic installation marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the U.S. and its NATO ally, Slovakia. The BAK-12 system provides the base with the capability to accommodate F-16 Fighting Falcons, enhancing the country’s national security and demonstrating its commitment to maintaining a robust military force. The installation of the BAK-12 underscores the importance of initiatives aimed at improving readiness, cooperation, and interoperability among NATO partners. The project involved a collaborative effort between the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, the 31st Fighter Wing, and the Slovak Air Force. The new BAK-12 system and the introduction of F-16s into the Slovak Air Force fleet further strengthen deterrence capabilities and demonstrate the unwavering commitment to the NATO defensive alliance. This tangible example of collaboration highlights the importance of working together to ensure global security. The BAK-12 is a mechanical barrier that assists in slowing down aircraft during landing. The certification test, successfully conducted on July 10, 2024, involved passing an F-16 through the system to ensure its effectiveness. USAFE-AFAFRICA’s implementation of concepts such as Agile Combat Employment reinforces its dedication to working closely with European allies to enhance deterrence and defend against potential threats. The BAK-12 system contributes to the operational agility of the U.S. and Slovak air forces, enabling them to conduct agile combat operations and deliver lethal combat power where and when needed. The certification of the BAK-12 at Malacky Air Base also coincides with the 20th anniversary of Slovakia’s accession to NATO, underscoring the country’s commitment to the alliance and its role in safeguarding European security.
MALACKY AIR BASE, Slovakia —
Air Force personnel from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing completed the installation of a new Barrier Arresting Kit-12, allowing U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa F-16 Fighting Falcons to land at Malacky Air Base on July 10, 2024.
The BAK-12 installation is an example of teamwork by strengthening Slovakia’s partnership as a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally and underscores the importance of initiatives to maintain and enhance readiness, cooperation and interoperability, said Col. Matthew A. Bartlett, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing commander.
A team of 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Airmen, 31st Fighter Wing pilots and the Slovak Air Force worked together to ensure the successful installation of the BAK-12. The final test to certify the system was successfully conducted on July 10, 2024. Following the certification test, the Slovak Air Force assumed responsibility for the maintenance of the new BAK-12 system at Malacky AB during a handover ceremony.
“The BAK-12 system at Malacky Air Base not only enhances our deterrence posture, but also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the NATO defensive alliance,” Bartlett said. “U.S. forces are ready and positioned to integrate seamlessly with Slovakian allies and other NATO partners to deter threats and defend our alliances.”
The new BAK-12 system is a tangible example of how the United States and allies can work together to ensure global security, Bartlett said.
The BAK-12 system and the strategic introduction of F-16s into the Slovak Air Force fleet strengthen Slovak national security and demonstrate Slovakia’s commitment to maintaining a robust and modern military force, said Martin Vojtašovič, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic.
“This initiative is part of a broader framework of cooperation and partnership with the United States,” Vojtašovič said.
USAFE-AFAFRICA implements concepts such as Agile Combat Employment, which promotes unification with allies and partners to deter, defend and win across the spectrum of conflict. ACE enables the U.S. to work closely with European allies and partners to deliver lethal combat power, remain agile in execution and strategic in deterrence, Bartlett said.
“This new capability enables Air Force personnel and crews to conduct agile combat operations and deliver lethal combat power where and when it is needed,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett explained how this adaptive capability is critical in today’s dynamic security environment, where the ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations is essential. The installation of the BAK-12 at Malacky AB contributes to the operational agility of the U.S. and Slovak air forces by enabling F-16s to operate at Malacky AB.
The BAK-12 is a mechanical barrier that helps slow down aircraft during landing. The certification test was conducted by successfully passing an F-16 through the system, causing the aircraft to come to a complete stop. Once the F-16 came to a stop, the BAK-12 system and the aircraft were thoroughly inspected.
The 435th AGOW went to great lengths to ensure the BAK-12 system was a success.
They began removing old systems that had exceeded their useful life and demolished failing concrete foundations, said Tech. Sgt. Justin Smith, 435th Construction and Training Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of U.S. Air Forces in Europe aircraft dressing system theater operations.
“We then repaired the concrete foundations, provided the necessary structural work, repaired the old BAK-12 systems and reinstalled the system in less than a year,” Smith said. “It was a huge effort, there were a lot of moving parts and every flight in our squadron was involved.”
Smith spoke about how positive it was to work with Slovak colleagues and how helpful it was to his team in completing the BAK-12 installation.
“Everyone was more than willing to help and assist where needed, they all seemed excited that we were here,” said Smith.
The certification of the BAK-12 system at Malacky air base coincides with the 20th anniversary of Slovakia’s accession to NATO.
