US Ambassador to Poland Lee Feinstein last week presented the fifth and final C-130E to the Polish air force in a ceremony at Powidz Air Base in central Poland. “Today is a powerful example of the strong and vibrant relationship between Poland and the United States,” said Feinstein in his remarks on Aug. 22. “Poland has gained a tactical airlift capability . . . and has increased its interoperability with the United States and NATO,” he added. The United States contributed $120 million to refurbish and upgrade the ex-Air Force airframes to current standards, in addition to the $34.5 million fronted by Poland, said Feinstein. “Our partnership in the C-130 program is a fine example of how our day-to-day security cooperation continues to grow,” he noted. “In a few weeks, we’ll take another important step” deploying Air Force F-16s and C-130s to Lask Air Base, forming the “first continuous presence” of US forces in Poland, he said. Air Force pilots delivered the first Polish C-130 in March 2009. (Polish Ministry of National Defense release) (US Embassy release) (See also US, Poland Sign Agreement on Air Detachment.)
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.