Embassy Events 2006

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The first Polish F-16 fighter jets arrived in Poland on November 9 at the Krzesiny Airbase near Poznan. U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe and General William T. Hobbins, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, along with several members of U.S. Embassy Warsaw staff joined Polish President Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Maria Kaczynska along with Polish Minister of Defense Radek Sikorski, General Franciszek Gagor, Chief of General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Stanislaw Targosz, Commander of the Polish Air Force and Lieutenant General Lech Majewski, Deputy Commander of the Polish Air Force at a ceremony celebrating the arrival. The F-16s were produced in the U.S. by U.S.-based manufacturer Lockheed Martin as part of the Polish F-16 Peace Sky program. “The arrival of Poland's first F-16s marks another milestone in the long and vibrant Polish-American partnership,” said Ambassador Ashe.


U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe
Toast to the Arrival of the First Polish F-16s
Krzesiny Airbase, Poland
November 9, 2006


Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I am deeply honored to be part of this historic event – “for your freedom and ours.”

The arrival of Poland's first F-16s marks another milestone in the long and vibrant Polish-American partnership. Throughout history, we can point to many examples of our cooperation – ranging from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terrorism, in which we are working together to advance our shared values. Poland’s acquisition of these F-16s marks yet another chapter in our mutual effort to defend democracy.

Our common history began with the young Polish patriots – Kościuszko and Pułaski. Kosciuszko built the fortifications at West Point and contributed to the American victory at Saratoga, in 1777, before returning to Poland to lead the Uprising of 1794. Pułaski is known even today as the “Father of the American Cavalry.” He gave his life for America’s independence. In response, after World War I, President Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” rightfully returned Poland to the map.

During World War II, America joined the struggle against Fascism after Poland had already led the way. Queen Elizabeth the Second stated that were it not for the courage and effort of Polish pilots, the Battle of Britain may well have been lost and the torch of freedom extinguished. Americans prayed for Poland during the Cold War. We rejoiced at the selection of a “son of Poland” as Pope. We supported Solidarity during its darkest days; and we smiled with satisfaction as Poland became the first to cast aside the Iron Curtain, and join NATO. Today, we rely on Polish leadership of the Multinational Division in Iraq; and we look forward to the arrival of Polish reinforcements in Afghanistan in 2007. These examples prove that Poland has done much more than simply survive the most difficult trials of history. Indeed, the Republic of Poland has emerged as a leader, a beacon of progress, and an example for other nations to follow.

Poland’s F-16s are the latest example of your leadership in bringing peace and stability to Europe and the world. These aircraft provide tangible evidence of our strong friendship, military interoperability, and our combined efforts to secure Poland’s place as a first‑tier member of NATO.

As President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people." His words resonate loudly on this historic day. As we look around us at the faces of the Polish and U.S. airmen gathered here, we can see in them reflections of Kosciuszko and Pułaski, of thousands of Poles and Americans who also stood for “your freedom and ours.”

On this historic day, I propose a toast – to the arrival of these aircraft, which will bring our two Air Forces closer together and so secure our nations in peace and liberty, and to the Republic of Poland and the United States of America. May God Bless and keep them safe forever!