• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

US to extend stay of F-16 in Poland till end of 2014

18 April 2014, 04:55 -- The United States said Thursday that it would extend the stay of its F-16 fighters and military personnel in Poland through the end of 2014. The decision was made after Tomash Semonjak had a meeting with his American colleague in the US. During the meeting the both ministers discussed possible expansion of American military presence in Poland. In view of Ukrainian crisis Polish government turned to the US and other NATO allies, asking them to station their forces in Poland.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the announcement when eastern Ukraine is awash with violent protests against new authorities in Kiev, with pro-Federalization activists seizing several government buildings in nearly ten eastern cities.

'We're committed to maintaining that augmented presence to the end of the year,' said Hagel during a joint news conference at the Pentagon with Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, referring to a dozen F-16 fighter jets and about 200 US troops currently based in Poland.

The Pentagon chief urged allies to contribute to the US air detachment mission in Poland, and said that the two countries will also conduct more cooperation in other areas, including closer collaboration between US and Polish special operations forces, additional Air Force training initiatives, augmented air detachment program and missile defense efforts.

Hagel did not offer specific details about how the United States will contribute to those efforts, noting that plans were still being crafted.

Meanwhile, he said Washington would send medical supplies, helmets and other non-lethal aid to Ukraine, which currently grapples with pro-Federalization protests.

In March, the US sent 12 F-16 fighters in Poland. As it was reported, the US would change these planes for 18 planes of another type in June.

Earlier, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski said that he would ask NATO to base 10 000 troops with armored vehicles in Poland.

Stanislaw Koziej, Head of Poland's National Security Bureau, said that Poland would rather see more NATO armories, than troops.

Source: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_04_18/US-air-forces- extend-stay-in-Poland-till-end-of-2014-3988/