USAREUR-AF repositions troops in Poland
April 7, 2025
United States Army Europe and Africa announces the planned repositioning of U.S. military equipment and personnel from Jasionka, Poland, to other sites in the country. This transition is part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations, improving the level of support to Allies and partners while also enhancing efficiencies.
The decision to reposition troops and equipment reflects months of assessment and planning, coordinated closely with Polish hosts and NATO Allies.
The important work of facilitating military aid to Ukraine via Jasionka will continue under Polish and NATO leadership, supported by a streamlined U.S. military footprint. Poland and its allies will maintain the robust protective infrastructure around this critical site.
In 2022, U.S. forces established a temporary presence in Jasionka after the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The site is not at a permanent Polish military base, but has been utilized by U.S., NATO and partner forces for three years.
In the meantime, the U.S. Army has established U.S. Army Garrison Poland and more robust facilities based on host-nation agreements and significant investment in those facilities from both the Polish and U.S. governments.
“Poland is a great host. In the past few years we have moved to more permanent facilities in the country,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “After three years at Jasionka this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint and save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars per year.
Donahue added the U.S. has and continues to maintain open lines of communication with Polish counterparts and other NATO Allies and partners throughout this process.
“We are deeply grateful to the city and people of Jasionka for warmly welcoming American personnel and high-level visitors over the past three years,” said U.S. Embassy Poland Chargé d’Affaires Daniel Lawton. “Your support has exemplified the close ties between our nations and enhanced the strength of our U.S.-Poland partnership. As we adapt to evolving needs, this transition allows us to sustain our close cooperation while using resources more efficiently.”
For any inquiries contact U.S. Army Europe and Africa Public Affairs at media@army.mil.
US relocates its military from key logistics hub in Poland through which Ukraine receives aid
The US Army Europe and Africa has announced the redeployment of US military personnel and equipment from Jasionka Airport in Poland, which is a key hub for assistance to Ukraine.
Source: a statement by the US Army Europe and Africa, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) has announced that the redeployment of US military personnel and equipment from Jasionka Airport near Rzeszów to other locations in Poland has been long planned.
- As highlighted in a communiqué published on the command's website on Monday, the redeployment is "part of a broader strategy to optimise US military operations, improving the level of support to Allies and partners while also enhancing efficiencies".
- It notes that the decision "reflects months of assessment and planning" conducted in coordination with Poland and other NATO allies.
- "The site is not at a permanent Polish military base, but has been utilized by U.S., NATO and partner forces for three years", the statement says.
In response to the communiqué, Polish President Andrzej Duda stressed that the relocation of US military equipment from Jasionka does not mean a withdrawal of troops.
For reference:
- The US military arrived at the airfield near Rzeszów at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Since then, Jasionka has become a key logistical hub for the technical support provided by Western countries to Ukraine.
- As a particularly important location, it has been covered by, among other things, US Patriot air defence systems.
Initially, support for Ukraine within the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as Ramstein) was controlled by the United States.
As a result of the NATO summit in Washington, the responsibility was transferred to NATO, and thus to other member states. To take this from the Americans’ hands, anti-aircraft systems from Germany and Norway have been deployed there in recent months.
Background:
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte believes that there is no reason to talk about the US withdrawal from the Ramstein group.
- The Secretary General was asked about media reports that the Pentagon chief would not attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group for the first time, and whether this was a signal that the United States was withdrawing from the initiative.
- The next meeting of the Ramstein group will take place on 11 April at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and will be co-chaired by the UK and Germany for the first time.
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