Polish
media reports have speculated that Obama could announce
the transfer of an F-16 squadron from the Aviano base
in Italy to the Lask air field in central Poland during
his May 27-28 visit to Warsaw.
"An
agreement on the permanent deployment of U.S. Air Force
assets in Poland and the periodic rotation of F-16 fighters
in the country will be signed after Barack Obama's visit,"
Defense Minister Bogdan Klich said in an interview with
the TOK FM radio.
The
U.S. detachment will service F-16 fighter jets, Hercules
transport planes, and land personnel periodically visiting
Poland, the minister said.
Klich
expressed hope that the F-16 rotation could start as early
as in 2013.
Meanwhile,
Russia warned Poland against hosting U.S. fighter jets,
saying it would counter the move.
