Latest news with #ChristopherDonahue
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US pulling troops from Poland hub key in shipping arms to Ukraine
The U.S. military will pull its forces and equipment from a southeastern Polish logistics hub that is key in shipping weapons into Ukraine, a move a senior defense official claimed would save 'tens of millions of dollars.' U.S. Army Europe-Africa head Gen. Christopher Donahue on Monday announced the planned repositioning of the command's personnel from Jasionka to other sites in the country, which permanently stations about 10,000 U.S. troops. In a statement, the command said the transition is 'part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations and comes after months of assessment and planning in coordination with Poland and NATO allies.' 'After three years at Jasionka this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint and save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars per year,' Donahue said in the statement. U.S. forces established a temporary presence in Jasionka in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, igniting a bloody war that has stretched on for more than three years. Jasionka, though not a permanent Polish military base, has been a key hub for getting weapons into Ukraine as it is close to the border. Poland's defense minister in January said up to 95 percent of the military assistance to Ukraine moves through Jasionka. While the U.S. military will no longer have a lead role at Jasionka, the command stressed that the 'important work of facilitating military aid to Ukraine via Jasionka will continue under Polish and NATO leadership.' The duties previously carried out by U.S. forces in Jasionka are now being taken over by other allies, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed Tuesday on social media. 'U.S. troops remain in Poland, but are stationed at different locations. The mission in Jasionka is now primarily carried out by Norwegian, German, British, and Polish forces, along with other allied troops,' he posted to X. The move comes amid increasing worry the U.S. may pull away from its commitments to NATO and European defense. President Trump has often threatened not to come to the defense allies countries he thinks are not spending enough on defense. Poland is the exception on defense spending in Europe, with 4.7 percent of its GDP spent on its military, the highest in NATO. There are also concerns over whether Trump could give up Washington's leadership role within the alliance and shift troops out of Europe en masse, a move that several Republican lawmakers and the commander of U.S. forces in Europe argued against on Tuesday. 'It would be a grave mistake to pull forces out of Europe right now,' Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday. 'This is a time to deter Russia, and I think withdrawing forces is a sign of weakness.' U.S. European Command head Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who testified before House lawmakers, said that he's 'consistently recommended' keeping the same level of U.S. troops on the conntinent since Russia began its war in Ukraine. 'It's my advice to maintain that force posture as it is now,' he said. Further exacerbating concerns, Trump on Monday fired Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the U.S. representative to NATO's military committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
08-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
US pulling troops from Poland hub key in shipping arms to Ukraine
The U.S. military will pull its forces and equipment from a southeastern Polish logistics hub that is key in shipping weapons into Ukraine, a move a senior defense official claimed would save 'tens of millions of dollars.' U.S. Army Europe-Africa head Gen. Christopher Donahue on Monday announced the planned repositioning of the command's personnel from Jasionka to other sites in the country, which permanently stations about 10,000 U.S. troops. In a statement, the command said the transition is 'part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations and comes after months of assessment and planning in coordination with Poland and NATO allies.' 'After three years at Jasionka this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint and save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars per year,' Donahue said in the statement. U.S. forces established a temporary presence in Jasionka in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, igniting a bloody war that has stretched on for more than three years. Jasionka, though not a permanent Polish military base, has been a key hub for getting weapons into Ukraine as it is close to the border. Poland's defense minister in January said up to 95 percent of the military assistance to Ukraine moves through Jasionka. While the U.S. military will no longer have a lead role at Jasionka, the command stressed that the 'important work of facilitating military aid to Ukraine via Jasionka will continue under Polish and NATO leadership.' The duties previously carried out by U.S. forces in Jasionka are now being taken over by other allies, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed Tuesday on social media. 'U.S. troops remain in Poland, but are stationed at different locations. The mission in Jasionka is now primarily carried out by Norwegian, German, British, and Polish forces, along with other allied troops,' he posted to X. The move comes amid increasing worry the U.S. may pull away from its commitments to NATO and European defense. President Trump has often threatened not to come to the defense allies countries he thinks are not spending enough on defense. Poland is the exception on defense spending in Europe, with 4.7 percent of its GDP spent on its military, the highest in NATO. There are also concerns over whether Trump could give up Washington's leadership role within the alliance and shift troops out of Europe en masse, a move that several Republican lawmakers and the commander of U.S. forces in Europe argued against on Tuesday. 'It would be a grave mistake to pull forces out of Europe right now,' Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday. 'This is a time to deter Russia, and I think withdrawing forces is a sign of weakness.' U.S. European Command head Gen. Christopher Cavoli, who testified before House lawmakers, said that he's 'consistently recommended' keeping the same level of U.S. troops on the conntinent since Russia began its war in Ukraine. 'It's my advice to maintain that force posture as it is now,' he said.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US to relocate troops, equipment from key Ukraine aid hub in Poland
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command announced on April 8 that American personnel and equipment will be relocated from Poland's Jasionka Airport, a key logistics hub for delivering military aid to Ukraine. "The important work of facilitating military aid to Ukraine via Jasionka will continue under Polish and NATO leadership, supported by a streamlined U.S. military footprint," the command said in a statement. The redeployment, which will move assets to other locations in Poland, follows months of planning and is part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations across the region. "Poland is a great host," said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. "After three years at Jasionka this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint and save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars per year." Polish President Andrzej Duda responded to the announcement by assuring that the move does not signify a U.S. troop withdrawal. "I don't know if this is being implemented at this point. The very issue of taking responsibility for the security issues of the Rzeszow airport, its security, I know," Duda said during a press conference in Tallinn. The U.S. military has operated in Jasionka, near Rzeszow, since early 2022. The airport quickly became one of the most important logistical points for coordinating Western support to Ukraine, protected by American Patriot air defense systems. The facility is located less than 62 miles from the Ukrainian border and transports a significant percentage of Western materiel bound for the front lines. It is also a main stopover point for foreign leadership traveling to Kyiv on official visits. In March 2023, Warsaw detained at least 16 members of a Russian spy ring tasked with gathering information on the number of transports to Ukraine in the region surrounding the airport, the level of security measures in place, and the type of equipment. The redeployment comes amid growing concerns in Europe over a potential drawdown of U.S. forces. NBC News reported on April 8 that senior Defense Department officials are weighing a plan to withdraw up to 10,000 U.S. troops from Eastern Europe. U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" doctrine and recent statements from U.S. officials have raised alarm among NATO allies about Washington's long-term commitment to European defense. Read also: Trump 'not happy' with Russian bombing of Ukraine, says he 'doesn't know what's happening there' We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Fourth Fort Stewart Soldier found dead in Lithuania, investigation continues
This afternoon near Pabradė, Lithuania, the fourth U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division who went missing on March 25 was found dead, according to a press release issued by U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The soldiers went missing in the early morning hours of March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. Early the next morning, U.S. Army units supported by Lithuanian Armed Forces and law enforcement 'conducted a search in the area and found the soldiers' vehicle submerged in a body of water." Of the four U.S. Army soldiers who went missing, three were found dead in Lithuania on March 31, as previously reported by the Savannah Morning News. In the early morning of March 31, the M88A2, which weighs 63 tons, was removed from the peat bog. The soldier was found after a search by hundreds of rescue workers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and many other elements of the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies, the press release added. The Soldier's identity is being withheld pending confirmation of notification of next of kin. "First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our Soldiers,' said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. 'I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies - and our own Sailors, Airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers - have enabled us to find and bring home our Soldiers. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends.' The U.S. Army is investigating the cause of the accident. 'We are incredibly relieved that we were able to bring this recovery to an end and bring closure to all the Families, friends and teammates of our Soldiers,' said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commanding general, 1st Armored Division. 'We cannot thank our Allies and fellow service members enough, especially the Lithuanians, who spared no resource in support of this mission. Together, we delivered on our promise to never leave a fallen comrade.' 'As the fourth and final Soldier has been recovered from this tragic accident, we will continue to mourn their loss as we work to quickly return our Dog Face Soldiers home to their families,' said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general, V Corps. 'It has been truly amazing and very humbling to watch the incredible recovery team from different commands, countries and continents come together and give everything to recover our Soldiers. Thank you, Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, the U.S. Navy and the Army Corps of Engineers. We are forever grateful.' More: Three missing Fort Stewart Soldiers found dead in Lithuania after conducting mission The soldiers were deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR), which was launched by the United States in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. The soldiers were permanently stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia. "This past week has been devastating. Today our hearts bear the weight of an unbearable pain with the loss of our final Dogface Soldier," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general. 'Though we have received some closure, the world is darker without them.' "We continue to stand by the families and loved ones through this incredibly difficult time,' added Norrie. 'Now, it's time to bring them home.' Also on April 1, Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) released a statement. 'I join all Georgians in mourning the devastating loss of four brave servicemembers from Ft. Stewart's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who tragically lost their lives in Lithuania during a training mission. 'I send my deepest condolences to their families, loved ones, and fellow servicemembers on their loss. 'Our servicemembers risk their lives defending our nation and upholding our commitments to our allies. We will never forget their heroism and bravery. 'May their memories be a blessing.' Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Fourth Fort Stewart Soldier found dead in Lithuania
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Body of last Ft. Stewart soldier who vanished during training exercise in Lithuania recovered
The body of the fourth and final soldier from Fort Stewart in Georgia has been recovered. The soldiers went missing on March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle in the town of Pabradė, Lithuania. A search discovered the vehicle submerged in a swamp on March 26, and several agencies assisted in the days-long effort to remove it. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officials confirmed on Monday that three of the four soldiers had been recovered. 'First and foremost, we offer condolences to the loved ones of our Soldiers,' said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. 'I can't say enough about the support our Lithuanian Allies have provided us. We have leaned on them, and they, alongside our Polish and Estonian Allies - and our own Sailors, Airmen and experts from the Corps of Engineers - have enabled us to find and bring home our Soldiers. This is a tragic event, but it reinforces what it means to have Allies and friends.' The soldiers have not been publicly identified, pending notification of their families. RELATED STORIES: Bodies of 3 missing Ft. Stewart soldiers found; disappeared during training exercise in Lithuania 4 soldiers from Fort Stewart still missing in Lithuania, despite NATO initial report 4 Georgia soldiers have died after being reported missing in Lithuania [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
