USAF Joins in on Polish Armed Forces 2020 Celebration

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
08/17/2020

The 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron support Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020.

Recently, Secretary of State Pompeo signed an agreement with his Polish counterparts moving some of the American forces which have been in Germany to Poland.

A Deutsche Welle story highlighted the agreement as follows:

Under the pact, another 1,000 US troops will be sent to Poland in addition to the 4,500 soldiers already stationed there. The deal also grants the US access to Polish military installations and allows for the modernization of existing facilities and capabilities in Poland.

“This is going to be an extended guarantee: a guarantee that in case of a threat our soldiers are going to stand arm-in-arm,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Saturday during the signing ceremony. 

“It will also serve to increase the security of other countries in our part of Europe.”

Several military commands will also be moved out of Germany, among them the US Army V Corps overseas headquarters. It will be based in Poland from next year.

In July, the US Department of Defense announced plans to withdraw around 12,000 US military personnel from Germany, reducing its troop presence there from 36,000 to 24,000. Nearly 5,600 service members will be redeployed to NATO countries, including Poland, with 6,400 to return to the US.

The featured photo: Military members from the United States, Poland, United Kingdom, Romania, and Croatia gather for a group photo during Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020.  (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley)

 

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, participate in a flyover during Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15,2020. Participation in the Polish Armed Forces Day is one of several ways the U.S. is continuing to work with Polish allies to strengthen U.S. and Polish defense relations, NATO unity and transatlantic security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chanceler Nardone)
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, supports Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. The U.S. and Polish partnership is critical in light of growing security challenges, and opportunities to fly and work together help to strengthen this relationship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chanceler Nardone)
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, return to Lask Air Base, Poland after participating in Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. The U.S. values their strong bilateral relationship with Poland and were honored to participate in the day’s ceremony and flyover. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chanceler Nardone)
U.S. Air Force and Polish air force F-16 pilots gather for a group photo at Lask Air Base, Poland, August 15, 2020. The pilots flew over Warsaw, Poland to support Polish Armed Forces Day, a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Poland's victory during the Polish-Soviet War. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chanceler Nardone)
Polish TS-11 Spark aircraft participate in Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. Polish support for NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence is critical. The NATO Allies stand united and determined to defend NATO territory and deter aggression from adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley)
Polish F-16 aircraft participate in Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. The United States values their strong bilateral relationship with Poland, which has proven to be a strong and committed NATO Ally since its accession to the Alliance in 1999. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley)
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, participate in Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. The United States was honored to participate in this ceremony with the static display of heavy equipment as well as a flyover of the F-16’s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley)
Polish service members salute during the Polish national anthem at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. Poland commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, a Polish victory in the Polish-Soviet War, during this year’s Polish Armed Forces Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley)
U.S. Air Force tactical air control party Airmen and joint tactical air control Polish counterparts advise U.S. and Polish aircraft during a flyover on Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. A deeper, more collaborative U.S. and Poland security partnership is critical in meeting the current threats and challenges to our shared security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley)
Military members from the United States, Poland, United Kingdom, Romania, and Croatia gather for a group photo during Polish Armed Forces Day at Warsaw, Poland, August 15, 2020. The U.S. military presence in Poland strengthens NATO deterrence and contributes to security in the region. Enhancing that presence would help continue to ensure democracy, freedom and respect for sovereignty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melody W. Howley)