The U.S. military has decided to reposition its personnel and equipment from Jasionka, the southeastern Polish town that has served as a critical logistics hub for delivering military aid to Ukraine since the start of the war in 2022.
General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe-Africa, announced the move. “After three years at Jasionka, this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint,” he said.
The transition, planned in coordination with Poland and NATO allies, will see Polish and other allied forces, primarily from Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom, assume primary responsibility for operations at Jasionka.
“Duties previously carried out by U.S. forces in Jasionka are now being taken over by other allies,” Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on X.
This adjustment comes amid broader questions about the United States’ military posture in Europe, particularly as President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled a desire to reduce America’s commitments and redirect focus toward China.
While U.S. troops remain deployed across Europe, the move away from Jasionka reflects shifting priorities within NATO’s eastern flank, part of a broader recalibration that began under the Trump administration and continues as regional threats evolve.
Role Of Jasionka In Supporting Ukraine
Located near Rzeszów and close to Poland’s border with Ukraine, Jasionka emerged as a vital conduit for military assistance following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The U.S. established a temporary presence at the town’s airport, transforming it into a hub for receiving and distributing weapons and supplies to Ukrainian forces.
The Polish Defense Ministry stated in January 2025 that up to 95 percent of military aid to Ukraine has passed through Jasionka, highlighting its central role in sustaining Kyiv’s defense efforts over the past three years.
The hub’s proximity to Ukraine enabled rapid equipment transfers, ranging from small arms to advanced systems like artillery and air defense units.
Jasionka’s strategic value lay in its ability to facilitate swift and efficient support, a task largely driven by U.S. personnel until now.
General Donahue described the repositioning as an opportunity to “right-size” the U.S. footprint after an extensive review, emphasizing that the mission of aiding Ukraine will continue under Polish and NATO leadership.
This handover reflects practical considerations—cost savings and burden-sharing among allies—but also carries symbolic weight. Jasionka has been a tangible expression of Western solidarity with Ukraine, and the U.S. stepping back from a leading role could signal a recalibration of priorities, even as its broader commitment to Poland and NATO remains intact.
U.S. Military Presence Across Europe
The repositioning at Jasionka occurs within a well-established network of U.S. military bases and troop deployments in Europe, where more than 84,000 active-duty personnel are currently stationed, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
Germany hosts the largest contingent, with approximately 38,700 troops spread across installations like Ramstein Air Base, a major hub for air operations, and Büchel Air Base, which stores U.S. nuclear weapons as part of NATO’s deterrence strategy.
Italy follows with about 12,600 personnel, primarily at Aviano Air Base, home to fighter squadrons, and Naval Air Station Sigonella, which supports operations in the Mediterranean.
The United Kingdom hosts roughly 10,000 U.S. troops, concentrated at RAF Lakenheath, a key airbase for fighter jets.
In Poland, beyond the temporary role at Jasionka, around 10,000 troops are permanently based, including at a recently operational missile defense facility in Redzikowo.
Other notable deployments include approximately 4,000 personnel in Spain at Naval Station Rota, a strategic port for naval operations, and several thousand in Turkey at Incirlik Air Base, which supports missions in the Middle East. Smaller units are also present in Romania, Bulgaria, and the Baltic states, reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank since Russia’s actions in Ukraine intensified.
This presence expanded significantly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and grew further following the 2022 invasion, with an additional 20,000 troops deployed to Europe.
These bases serve multiple purposes: deterring Russian aggression, training allied forces, and enabling rapid response to crises beyond the continent, such as in the Middle East.
General Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command, testified before the House Armed Services Committee on April 8, 2025, that he has consistently advised maintaining current troop levels to address ongoing threats from Russia. The Jasionka adjustment, however, suggests a selective reallocation rather than a wholesale reduction.
Trump’s Strategic Pivot And Its Implications
President Trump has long expressed skepticism about the U.S. military’s extensive commitments in Europe, arguing that NATO allies should bear more of the financial and operational burden.
Poland, which allocates 4.7 percent of its GDP to defense—the highest share in NATO—has largely escaped this criticism.
Yet even there, the decision to reposition forces from Jasionka aligns with his broader push for efficiency and cost-sharing.
Trump’s rhetoric has escalated since his return to office, with suggestions of reducing U.S. troop numbers in Europe by as much as 20 percent and focusing instead on countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
However, the timing of such a shift has sparked debate. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), speaking at the same House hearing as Cavoli, cautioned that withdrawing forces now would undermine efforts to deter Russia, calling it “a sign of weakness.”
Cavoli’s testimony reinforced this view, advocating for stability in troop numbers to maintain NATO’s credibility. Yet Trump’s administration has shown a willingness to challenge that consensus.
The handover at Jasionka illustrates a practical step toward burden-sharing. While European troops might fill the gap, it also amplifies European concerns about U.S. reliability.
As Russia’s war grinds on and China’s ambitions grow, the U.S. faces a delicate balancing act.
- Via: ET News Desk
- Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
