On the night of Saturday into Sunday and in the morning of May 9–10, 2026, soldiers from the 6th Airborne Brigade were inserted onto the Danish island of Bornholm as part of the international Polish-Danish exercise Baltic Shield 2026. The exercise involved C-130E Hercules and C295M medium transport aircraft.
Photos: 6th Airborne Brigade, General Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces, Ministry of National Defence
According to the scenario of the episode, pathfinders were the first to be inserted into the area of operations. These scouts are responsible for reconnaissance, securing the terrain, and preparing drop zones.
The 16-strong group was inserted onto the Danish island of Bornholm in two passes of eight soldiers each. The first group jumped from an altitude of 4,000 m, while the second jumped from 7,300 m using oxygen equipment. After the drop, the pathfinders flew a distance of about 9 km and then began operating under the command of the 16th Airborne Battalion.
Once the area had been prepared, the insertion of the main airborne forces began. Their task was to reinforce the Danish garrison and conduct joint operations with allied troops.
The exercise demonstrated the high level of training of Polish paratroopers, their combat readiness, and their ability to operate with NATO forces in all conditions and operational environments.
Trwają polsko – duńskie ćwiczenia wojskowe „Baltic Shield 2026” 🇵🇱🇩🇰
W ćwiczeniach udział biorą m. in. artylerzyści, marynarze, lotnicy, wojska specjalne oraz żołnierze z @_6BPD_
i 2 Pułku Rozpoznawczego.Żołnierze ćwiczą na terytorium Polski, duńskiej wyspie Bornholm oraz na… pic.twitter.com/UVw44ulB9N
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) May 10, 2026
The airborne operation was part of Baltic Shield 2026, scheduled for May 8–12. The exercise is taking place on land, at sea, and in the air in the southern Baltic region, including Bornholm, the surrounding waters, and Poland’s northern coast. It follows the NATO exercise Aurora 2026, held on Gotland. At the same time, NATO will conduct joint staff exercises, also focused on the Baltic Sea region.
Baltic Shield 2026 involves, among others, artillery troops, sailors, airmen, Special Forces, and the aforementioned paratroopers from the 6th Airborne Brigade from Kraków and the 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment from Hrubieszów.
The exercise consists of a series of activities, all of which will be used to practice possible scenarios in the Bornholm area.
As the Danish Ministry of Defence emphasizes, the defense of Bornholm and the Baltic Sea region is a priority task for the Danish Armed Forces. During Baltic Shield, units from Denmark and Poland are operating together to strengthen and defend this strategically important area. The exercise includes responses to a range of kinetic and hybrid threats.
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