Latest news with #U.S.ArmyEuropeandAfricaCommand
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.
Los Angeles Times
31-03-2025
- Los Angeles Times
In Lithuania, bodies of 3 U.S. soldiers found in armored vehicle. 1 is still missing
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Three of the U.S. Army soldiers who went missing in Lithuania have been found dead in their armored vehicle that was pulled from a swampy area early Monday, according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command. Another soldier is still missing. The bodies of the three soldiers were recovered after a massive six-day effort by U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces and authorities to dig the M88 Hercules vehicle out of a peat bog at the expansive General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in the town of Pabradė. The soldiers were on a tactical training exercise when they and their vehicle were reported missing early Tuesday, the Army said. The command in a statement said the identities of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division soldiers are being withheld pending family notifications. 'We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary 'Dogface Soldiers' during this unimaginable time,' said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Infantry Division commander. 'But the search isn't finished until everyone is home. Words cannot express our gratitude to those still working around the clock during these extensive search and recovery efforts and your unwavering commitment not to rest until all are found.' Hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers and rescuers took part in the search through the thick forests and swampy terrain around Pabradė, just 6 miles west of the border with Belarus. The armored vehicle was discovered on Wednesday submerged in 15 feet of water. Lithuanian armed forces provided military helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and search and rescue personnel. They brought in additional excavators, sluice and slurry pumps, other heavy construction equipment, technical experts and several hundred tons of gravel and earth to help the recovery. U.S. Navy divers were able to maneuver through thick layers of mud, clay and sediment 'with zero visibility' to reach the 63-ton vehicle Sunday evening and find two points to attach steel cables, according to the command. The command said that during the effort to pull out the vehicle, it began to lose traction, so additional heavy dozers were brought in and attached to provide additional grip. The vehicle was pulled free after about two hours, the command said. 'The armored vehicle was pulled ashore at 4:40 a.m., the towing operation is complete, Lithuanian Military Police and US investigators continue their work,' Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė said Monday morning in a post on Facebook. The Navy dive team is now searching the area using radar for the fourth soldier who is still missing. Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division, thanked the 'heroic efforts' of those involved in the search and recovery. The U.S. Army and Lithuanian authorities are investigating what caused the incident. Dapkus and Baldor write for the Associated Press. Baldor reported from Washington.
