The U.S. Army Command in Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) reported the withdrawal of its units from the Jasionka airfield near Rzeszów. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, it has played a key role in the transfer of military aid and has been a major transfer hub 80 km from the Ukrainian border, as reported by the Defense Express.
It was noted that the decision regarding the relocation of troops and equipment was made after several months of assessment and planning in close cooperation with NATO partners. It was also mentioned that the operation of this important transport hub will continue under the leadership of Poland and other NATO countries, as well as 'an optimized U.S. military presence.'
The American units that were previously stationed near Rzeszów have been relocated to other U.S. facilities in Poland, without specifics given. However, it was noted that the U.S. 5th Army Corps headquarters has been deployed in Poznań in western Poland.
Meanwhile, the Polish Minister of Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, reported that the airfield near Rzeszów is currently mainly occupied by Norwegian, German, British, and Polish troops, as well as other allies, and the facility will continue to function. He also reminded that the decision to transfer responsibility for the operation of the hub in Rzeszów to NATO had been announced back in July 2024. This likely refers to the creation of a separate command for NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) with its headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany.
The aim of NSATU is to unite in one headquarters the management, planning, coordination, and organization processes for supplying weapons to Ukraine, training Ukrainian soldiers, and assisting with long-term development. It oversees not only the Jasionka airfield near Rzeszów but also all other logistical centers on NATO’s eastern flank.
