US sends 19 military aircraft to base near Russian territory

US Air Force KC-135 tanker aircraft (Photo: Defense News).

The Avia-pro website reported on May 4 that the US has begun plans to deploy 19 military aircraft from the Air Force and the National Guard to the Powidz Air Base in Poland, Russia's neighboring country. All of these aircraft will be transferred from US bases in the region to Poland in the next few months.

This is seen as a move to increase the US presence in Eastern Europe, thereby curbing the influence of Russia and Moscow's special military campaign in Ukraine.

Accordingly, the number of US aircraft transferred to Poland in this batch includes 19 KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-10 Extender and KC-46 Pegasus tankers. These aircraft can refuel in the air for the 5th generation fighter F-35A. According to experts, this means that the US can be ready to deploy this modern fighter in case tensions in the region get out of control.

Earlier, on April 5, the US Army officially put into use a long-term storage and maintenance facility capable of providing a place to station a fully equipped armored brigade at the Powidz Air Base in Poland.

It is estimated that the new US base will be 60 hectares wide and can accommodate up to 5,000 soldiers, 87 tanks, 152 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 18 M109 155mm howitzers and 45 M113 armored personnel carriers. This force is enough to help the US respond to any security threat in the Eastern European region.

According to Defense Blog , this is the most valuable military facility invested by NATO and the US in the past 30 years. Some sources revealed that 182 million USD was used to establish this facility.

"This facility will ensure our rapid response capability. It will allow us to mobilize an armored brigade with combat readiness quickly," US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski said at the inauguration ceremony of the military facility at the Powidz base.

US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the US Army's new long-term storage and maintenance facility (Photo: US Army).

Responding to the US Ambassador, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak emphasized that "the construction of this facility is an important factor in preventing threats and demonstrating the unity of the NATO alliance".

The US military currently maintains a force of about 10,000 soldiers in Poland, including many officers who train the Ukrainian army in weapons use.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/my-dua-19-may-bay-quan-su-toi-can-cu-gan-lanh-tho-nga-20230504142837830.htm