Americans leave Jasionka. End of the US base in Podkarpacie
Official messages say about « strategic optimization of NATO forces « . Relax, methodically, without sensation. But for people from Jasionka it is a farewell to something that changed their everyday life – and for good.
From the village of Rzeszów to the center of Europe
Everyone remembers this day. Arrival. Powerful heating machines, armed colossi, which until now existed only on the screen. Beige tents grew up in Taięcin Like mushrooms after rain. Tower appeared, « checkpoints », spiky fences, and with them … new reality.
-The Americans told us « Dże-Ess-Ka ». It was just more convenient for them, because « Jasionka » broke their tongue, there was no chance. But they were good here, really – says Dr. Sławomir Porada, head of the Trzebownisko commune. – It’s not a farewell, but a change of rotation. So much common history does not disappear without a trace, it is known that emotions are. But we don’t dramatize. The municipality will not collapse, economics will not overturn. Companies that lived only from the presence of American troops were a handful. All the rest works normally. We do not look at it at the end of the world, but another chapter.
From Locanta to the Pentagon
In the « Locanta » restaurant, which survived the pandemic and boom for soldiers in uniforms, you can feel something like nostalgia.
– At the beginning they came like from movies: a compact group, in uniforms, serious, a bit tense. Then in a civilian – a sweatshirt, a tracksuit – like everyone else. They ordered a kebab, took Cola, asked « What’s up? ». Sometimes they uploaded a few words in Polish – laughs by Monika Siudak, manager of the premises. – Good customers, friendly people. Cultural, without any fools. A little regret, you know, but the world does not end. We also have other guests: Germans, Poles from factories. There is a movement. It’ll be all right.
Zuchy from Biedronka and Holy Peace
Mr. Stanisław from the windows of your apartment For three years he watched American soldiers operating at the airport. – Zuch guys. In Biedronka they bought juices, chips, some bars. Never alcohol, never a row, no noise. Cultural, as if not from across the ocean, but from the neighboring block – he says with conviction.
He wonders for a moment: – It will be a bit empty. Like Christmas Eve without dumplings. It is known that Americans were the best shield, solid, specific. But NATO is not only them. This is a great strength. And most importantly, that someone here would protect us. Because we do not feel the threat, we do not panic – explains the senior.
Mrs. Halina: « The grandchildren were delighted »
Mrs. Halina, 63, proudly shows a photo of a granddaughter posing with an American soldier. – For children it was like a live fairy tale. Real soldiers, like movies – only on the screen, but here, under the house. They often stood at the airport, smiling, waved to children. They were polite, polite, without embarrassment. And of course it is a pity that they are leaving. Because America is power. As they were here, it was known that Putin would think twice.
There is no chaos, there is … continuation
The changes are noticeable, but they don’t panic. The head of Trzebowniska emphasizes that the infrastructure remains and the commune retains peace and its strategic role.
– We assure the government that defense does not weaken, and NATO is here all the time – explains Sławomir Porada. – There is nothing to treat as a loss. This is a natural troops rotation, some of the allied arrangements. The commune of Jasionka, with the airport and the entire facilities around, still plays a strategic role – maybe not always visible to the naked eye, but important. And me? I have learned over the years as a head of a commune, local government and a resident – keep calm and do your job.
Jasionka says goodbye to her military everyday life
In the world, Jasionka for three years was a symbol of security, cooperation and … yes, even kebabs with BBQ sauce. And today? Quieter. Calmer. But not without significance.
– There will be memories. And history – says Mrs. Halina.
– They were here. They helped. We felt important. Safe. And it matters – adds Mr. Stanisław.
And somewhere on the side someone throws quietly, with a smile, more to each other than to others:
-Dże-Ess-ka … Thank you!
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Trzebownisko commune / Laskar-Media
Wójt Sławomir Porada (in a circle) thank the Americans for three years of presence in Jasionka.
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– / Laskar-Media
Mr. Stanisław, a pensioner from the blocks at the airport: « Zuch boys, it’s a pity they are leaving. »
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