Two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft are being deployed to Croatia’s Air Base at Pleso today to execute a combat exercise with the Croatian allies "while supporting NATO’s collective defense in Southeast Europe," US Forces at Ramstein Air Base, Germany said on Wednesday.

On Monday, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic announced that two General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons would arrive in Croatia to “stay here a few days to support Croatia’s security,” adding that they would not stay “parked.”

According to a press release from the United States Embassy Zagreb, the US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa “employs agile forces and strategic capabilities to forward locations to counter threats or aggression through proactive movement alongside Allies and partners.”

“Our enduring alliances and partnerships throughout the European and African theaters have enabled our multi-capable Airmen to execute our mission as a dynamic coalition force,” said US Air Force General Jeff Harrigian, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander.

“Directing our strategic capabilities from any number of forward locations builds a resilient force, ready to pivot and counter aggression anywhere at a moment’s notice,” he added.

By executing such operations in Croatia, the Air Force builds Allied and partner capabilities throughout Southeast Europe and extending into the Mediterranean Sea, the press release said.