embassy events 2009

Three U.S. Air Force Generals Make Historic Visit to Poland

19 October 2009

Lieutenant General Terry L. Gabreski, Major General Polly A. Peyer, Brigadier General Joseph A. Lanni, and retired Colonel Donald Gabreski visited the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw (more photos)

Three U.S. Air Force Generals and one retired Air Force Colonel made a historic visit to Poland to recognize 90 years of cooperation and friendship between the United States and Poland.  Lieutenant General Terry L. Gabreski, Major General Polly A. Peyer, Brigadier General Joseph A. Lanni, and retired Colonel Donald Gabreski visited the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, the Polish Air Force Academy, and the Inspectorate for Armed Forces Support in Bydgoszcz.  During the second day of their visit, they met with representatives of the Polish General Staff, the Inspectorate for Support and the WZL-2 depot facility in Bydgoszcz.  At the Polish Air Force Academy, retired Colonel Donald Gabreski presented the Commandant of the Air Force Academy with a picture of his father, the legendary “Gabby” Gabreski, and Gabby’s Polish colleagues.  Colonel “Gabby” Gabreski was a U.S. Air Force Officer of Polish decent who flew with the 315th Polish Squadron in the British Royal Air Force during World War II.  Colonel Gabby Gabreski became known as the ace of the European theater during World War II and used his Polish language skills to act as a liaison between the British and the Polish airmen. Please click here to see a photo gallery from the visit.

In Warsaw, Generals Gabreski, Peyer, and Lanni, and retired Colonel Gabreski had the opportunity to meet the recently arrived U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Lee A. Feinstein.  The group spoke about past cooperation between the Americans and the Poles and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the strong relationship between the two nations. During their visit to Poland, the Generals shared experiences and lessons learned in maintaining and sustaining a 21st century Air Force.