The departure of U.S. troops from the Jasionka airfield is a planned, announced, and, most importantly, coordinated move with the Polish authorities. This is not a case of weakening the American presence in our country—quite the opposite. The United States is concentrating its forces in more permanent locations in Poland, such as Żagań, to which the troops from Jasionka are likely to be transferred, notes Tomasz Winiarski, an American studies expert, in an interview with Niezależna.pl.

The U.S. Army’s European and African Command (USAREUR-AF) has announced the planned relocation of American military equipment and personnel from Jasionka to other sites within Poland. This move is part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations, enhance the level of support for allies and partners, and improve overall efficiency, as stated on the official USAREUR-AF website.

Relocation, Not Withdrawal

At last year’s NATO summit in Washington, a new allied initiative—NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine)—was established. This initiative is responsible for coordinating the delivery of arms, ammunition, and military equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as for training Ukrainian soldiers. The duties previously carried out by U.S. troops in Jasionka are now being assumed by other NATO allies. The American side has clearly emphasized that U.S. Army soldiers, along with their equipment and weapons, will be relocated to other American bases in Poland. “This is not a withdrawal of forces,” confirmed the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda.

The exit of U.S. forces from the Jasionka airfield was a move that was planned, publicly communicated, and thoroughly consulted with Polish authorities. These authorities are reassuring the public and with good reason: the decision in question was made during the previous American administration, specifically by President Joe Biden at the NATO summit in Washington last year, underscores Tomasz Winiarski in his interview.

U.S. Military Reorganization in Poland Strengthens NATO and Shifts Responsibility

The implementation of these actions is part of a broader strategy to reorganize U.S. support for Ukraine, and at the same time a step toward greater autonomy for NATO allies in Europe—a goal currently being pursued by the White House, the expert adds.

As emphasized by General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. forces in Europe and Africa, the relocation of units from near Rzeszów also represents a cost-saving measure for American taxpayers and a natural consequence of three years of intensive U.S. military presence in that area.

Simultaneously, Poland is assuming greater responsibility: Polish troops are relocating to Lublin, where a new logistics and assistance hub for Ukraine is being established. The runway renovation in Jasionka, scheduled for June and necessitated by the wear caused by heavy military equipment, further justifies the U.S. Army’s decision, Winiarski notes.

This is not a case of diminished U.S. presence in Poland—on the contrary. The Americans are concentrating their forces in more permanent locations within the country, such as Żagań, where, according to press reports, U.S. troops from Jasionka will be transferred, the Americanist reiterates.

Consequently, responsibility for operations at the airfield near Rzeszów will be assumed by other allied forces—Norwegian, German, British, and Polish—which will work together to reinforce the defence system against potential aggression from Russia, concludes Tomasz Winiarski.