Embassy Events 2004

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Ambassador Ashe visited Southern Poland, including the cities of Rzeszow and Krosno, November 29-December 1.

During his three-day visit, the Ambassador met with government officials, businesspeople and representatives of the Polish Army's 21st Regional Technical Workshop in Rzeszow.

One of Ambassador Ashe's main stops was to WSK-Pratt & Whitney, a long-time leader in the Polish aviation industry that has enjoyed major new investment since being purchased by Pratt & Whitney.

WSK-Pratt&Whitney's 4,500 employees primarily produce jet engines and components.

Among many other contracts, the plant will produce the engines for the F-16 fighters being purchased by Poland.

The Ambassador met with WSK’s President General Director, Marek Darecki, and Pratt & Whitney’s Chairman of the Board, Bob Robinson.

The Ambassador also visited the Goodrich Company in Krosno, a major producer of landing gear for both civilian and military aircraft.

The plant is the sole source for all landing gear for all F-16 fighters sold worldwide and also produces for numerous civilian aircraft, including those made by Boeing, Gulf Stream and Bombardier.

Ambassador Ashe observed the hi-technology process of turning rough steel, aluminum and titanium castings into high precision finished products.
Amb. Ashe also visited the Polish Army’s 21st Regional Technical Workshop in Rzeszow. Here the Ambassador was able to see the newly arrived Polish Army High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs).

These 217 HMMWVs were purchased by Poland under U.S. Government Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants and the workshop is preparing them for use by Polish units earmarked for rapid deployability.

Base commander Major Slawomir Chlopik briefed Amb. Ashe about the base and its capabilities.

The Ambassador's visit concluded with a base tour and a ride in a Soviet-era armored personnel carrier, the BRDM-2.