After 3 years of stationing in Jasionka, American troops began the process of relocation of military personnel and equipment to another locations in Poland. This decision, announced by US Army Command in Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), is part of a broader strategy to optimise military operations and strengthen support for allies and partners.
American soldiers appeared in Jasionka in early 2022, just before the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport became a key logistics hub through which military aid for Ukraine went through. Due to its strategical importance, this site has been protected by anti-aircraft defence systems specified as the American Patriots.
The decision to decision American personnel and equipment from Jasionka stems from respective factors. Firstly, this is part of a broader strategy to optimise US military operations in Europe. General Christopher Donahue, commander of the USAREUR-AF, stressed that after 3 years of presence in Jasionka, the time had come to reduce attendance here, which would save US taxpayers tens of millions of dollars a year.
Secondly, the planned June renovation of the runway at Jasionka Airport required the transfer of military operations to another locations. Consequently, any of the American forces were transferred to the airport in Lublin.
Reactions of Polish authorities
The Polish authorities stress that relocation does not mean the withdrawal of US troops from Poland. president Andrzej Duda pointed out that this was a planned change, and the work for safety of the airport in Rzeszów was assumed by another NATO allies. National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz added that US troops stay in Poland, but in another locations, and the mission in Jasionka is mainly taken over by Norwegian, German, British and Polish troops.
The transfer of work for operations in Jasionka to NATO is the consequence of the findings made at the Washington Alliance Summit in 2024. As part of the NSATU mission, allies take over tasks related to the operation of the logistics hub in Jasionka. In fresh months, anti-aircraft defence systems from Germany and Norway have been deployed at the airport, allowing the engagement of US forces in the region to be reduced.
Future of the presence of US troops in Poland
Currently, about 10,000 American soldiers are stationed in Poland. Relocation from Jasionka does not mean a simplification in this number, but is part of adjusting military presence to current needs and operating conditions. American soldiers will proceed their tasks in another bases within the country, specified as the Żagań or the Świdzon.
In the context of media reports about the possible withdrawal of any American forces from east Europe, the Polish authorities stress that the presence of US troops in Poland is unchangeable and there are no plans to reduce it. The head of the National safety Bureau, General Dariusz Łukowski, noted that all operations are carried out at the same level and relocation is part of average tactical activities. Jasionka remains a key logistics hub supporting Ukraine, and its safety is inactive a precedence for NATO and Poland.
