U.S. Air Force crew chiefs from the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron perform maintenance on a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft engine during a theater security package deployment to Lask Air Base, Poland, July 9, 2015. The U.S. and Polish air forces will conduct training aimed to strengthen interoperability and demonstrate the countries' shared commitment to the security and stability of Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano/Released)
Recently I have read of concern in Poland of decreasing U.S. engagement due to the U.S. “rebalance” to Asia, thereby losing interest in Poland and Europe as strategic partners.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
One crew chief waves to another during the beginning of a familiarization flight in Poland. Six aircraft from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, deployed to Poland as part of a partnership-building event July 15-26, 2013.
Tech. Sgt. Tanner Ike of the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron’s 510th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Aviano Air Base, Italy, is at Lask Air Base, Poland, working with his Polish counterparts to fill up a liquid oxygen tank. Six aircraft along with personnel deployed to Poland as part of a partnership-building event July 15-26, 2013.
Members of the Polish Armed forces render a salute during an Aviation Detachment (AV DET) activation ceremony on the flightline of Lask Air Base, Poland, Nov. 9, 2012. The AV DET will be an enduring presence with 10 Airmen, but F-16 and C-130 crews and aircraft will rotate periodically for training, where the total number of personnel could surge up to 250. The AV DET supports Poland's continued defense modernization and standardization with the U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
"We consider them one of our top allies, and it's an ally that we want to improve our relationship with and partnership with," Spears said. "So, the aviation detachment is a mechanism with which we can strengthen that partnership."
Six aircraft from Aviano Air Base, Italy are participating in the third aircraft rotation to the Aviation Detachment in Poland. The United States and Poland are strengthening their combined air power by exercising together during a two-week aviation detachment rotation.
Six aircraft from Aviano Air Base, Italy are participating in the third aircraft rotation to the Aviation Detachment in Poland. The United States and Poland are strengthening their combined air power by exercising together during a two-week aviation detachment rotation.
Six aircraft from Aviano Air Base, Italy are participating in the third aircraft rotation to the Aviation Detachment in Poland. The United States and Poland are strengthening their combined air power by exercising together during a two-week aviation detachment rotation.
Six aircraft from Aviano Air Base, Italy are participating in the third aircraft rotation to the Aviation Detachment in Poland. The United States and Poland are strengthening their combined air power by exercising together during a two-week aviation detachment rotation.
Community support is vital for successful military operations in the U.S. and overseas, especially if that support comes from a foreign community. Airmen working along side the Polish Air Force invited the local community to come see what they do every day.
Even when nations have been allies for centuries, it is still important to maintain that relationship. Polish and American airmen are sharing tactics and techniques to write a new page of American history.
The transformation of Poland since I first worked here has been remarkable, and today Poland has one of the strongest economies in Europe. Poland was the only EU country to avoid recession in 2009 and its GDP grew by an impressive 15.8% from 2008 to 2011. Even though growth has slowed down during recent months, Poland is still doing better than nearly all other EU members, and there are already signs that the worst of the economic slowdown is over.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
What we want to do is lay the foundation with one of our staunchest allies. We've trained together and we're now prepared to fight together. It's this type of training that takes place, having Airmen on the ground interacting day-in-and-day-out that really strengthens that partnership.
