A wave of alarm spread through the media following news of a decision by the US Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR-AF) regarding the relocation of American personnel and military equipment from the airport in Jasionka, near Rzeszów. This move involves transferring troops and armaments to other locations in Poland where US forces are stationed, rather than withdrawing them from the country. “This is not a troop withdrawal,” confirmed Polish President Andrzej Duda.
According to the announcement published on the official USAREUR-AF website, the command is planning to move American military equipment and personnel from Jasionka in Poland to other sites in the country. This shift is part of a broader strategy aimed at optimizing US military operations, improving support for allies and partners, and enhancing overall efficiency. It was precisely this statement that stirred up a storm in the media and on social networks, sparking headlines like “End of the Mission in Jasionka” and “Americans Pulling Troops Out of Poland.” However, just a few lines further into the official release, it clarifies that “in 2022, US forces established a temporary presence in Jasionka following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This location is not a permanent Polish military base, but has been utilized by US forces, NATO, and partners for three years now.”
General Staff Provides Clarification
Poland’s General Staff also moved quickly to explain the situation. “We inform you that the new deployment of selected US Army units stationed in Poland stems from the plans adopted following the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington,” it stated.
The Rzeszów–Jasionka infrastructure was expanded to support allied efforts to assist Ukraine under the NSATU mission (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine). American units previously located at the Rzeszów–Jasionka hub are now being moved to other military bases in Poland, with an eye to optimizing maintenance costs. Meanwhile, support for Ukraine through donations of equipment, training, and intelligence continues uninterrupted, assures the General Staff.
It is worth noting that for security reasons, details on the exact locations where troops and equipment will be moved are not being made public.
President Aware of Developments
Speaking while on a visit to Estonia, Polish President Andrzej Duda also addressed today’s media reports.
“I’m familiar with the matter, including the responsibility for the Rzeszów airport and its security. This was discussed at the allied level. This is not a withdrawal of troops,” the president stressed.
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, echoed that sentiment.
“In accordance with decisions made at the NATO Summit in Washington, the nature of the mission in Jasionka is changing. The tasks previously carried out by US forces in Jasionka are now being taken over by other allies,” he noted.
During last year’s NATO Summit in Washington, it was decided to launch a new allied initiative called NSATU (NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine). Its aim is to coordinate the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to Ukraine’s armed forces, as well as to train Ukrainian soldiers. The tasks previously performed by US forces in Jasionka are now being assumed by other allies. Since January, the logistics hub has been secured by Norwegian NASAMS systems and German Patriot batteries. Norwegian F-35s, Swedish Gripens, and British Eurofighters are all helping to safeguard the skies over Rzeszów and Poland, according to the Defense Ministry.
Let’s Not Spread Fake News
Stanisław Żaryn, an advisor to the Polish president and head of the National Security Institute Foundation, urged people not to spread disinformation and to present the facts accurately.
“There is no withdrawal of Americans from Poland,” added Jarosław Wolski, a defense journalist covering security issues.