A US Army unit serving Europe and Africa has announced a “long-planned” redeployment of its military personnel and equipment from Jasionka Airport in Poland, traditionally a key hub for assistance to Ukraine, to other allied stations in the country.
The announcement comes amid concerns that the US would be downsizing its European presence under the Trump administration. However, on Tuesday, a top US General said that US troops in Europe will mostly “stay where they are.”
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USAREUR-AF (US Army, Europe and Africa) said that it was moving its personnel and equipment from the airport near Rzeszów to other locations in Poland in a reshuffle that has been “long planned.”
A communiqué published on the command’s website on Monday noted that the redeployment is “part of a broader strategy to optimize US military operations, improving the level of support to Allies and partners while also enhancing efficiencies.”
The US Army said the decision “reflects months of assessment and planning” coordinated with Poland and other NATO allies.
“The site is not at a permanent Polish military base, but has been utilized by the US, NATO, and partner forces for three years,” a US command statement said.
Under Polish and NATO leadership, Jasionika will continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, USAREUR-AF said.
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Polish President Andrzej Duda stressed that relocating US military equipment from its erstwhile headquarters does not mean a troop withdrawal.
In February, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that America’s relationship with Poland is strong and growing stronger by the day, describing the country as a “strategic frontline partner on NATO’s eastern flank.”
He added that Poland was leading by example in defense spending and that its military readiness demonstrates what is needed throughout the NATO alliance.
While the new US administration of Donald Trump has complained that European partners are not paying their fair share of GDP in defense commitments, Poland leads the Alliance in defense spending per capita, even exceeding the United States percentage-wise.
On Tuesday, Hegseth said that, rather than skip the regular “Ramstein Group” meeting, as he originally planned, he would appear via video conference at the next gathering of countries meeting to support Ukraine’s self-defense.
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, colloquially called the “Ramstein Group,” is a regular assembly of 50 countries that have met for the last three years to coordinate military aid for Kyiv at the US-German NATO base of the same name.
On Tuesday, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SACEUR) and top US General Christopher Cavoli said he was “planning to keep [US soldiers] where they are” on the continent after what was interpreted as a potential withdrawal or reduction in US military presence in Eastern Europe.
While Assistant Secretary of Defense Katherine Thompson said there was “a global posture review” in all theaters “based on President Trump’s stated interests, and sizing our force and our resources appropriately to that,” and “no decisions have been made at this time” concerning future troop presence.
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