Aegis on land

The US Navy's newest base is now in Poland!

The first crew members have moved into their accommodation and facilities. The move into the 50 million dollar multi-purpose building at the Naval Support Facility Redzikowo took place on Thursday. The strategic facility in northern Poland is part of NATO's European missile defence system. The NSF Redzikowo is located around 120 kilometres west of Gdansk on the Baltic coast.

The Aegis Ashore missile defence system integrates the systems of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers stationed in Rota (Spain) and the Aegis capabilities of the Naval Support Facility Deveselu in Romania. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers renovated the airbase, which was once built by the Germans, and completed it in June 2020. In addition to the accommodation, there are entertainment and fitness rooms, canteens and a shop. barracks, a galley, medical facilities, a naval exchange and a recreation centre. The number of soldiers was not disclosed, citing military security reasons.

The deployment of the missile defence system has been a source of dispute with Russia, which feels threatened by the system, for 15 years. The Kremlin has repeatedly spoken out against the deployment of missiles on European territory that could be aimed at Russian territory. The USA and Poland agreed to establish the system in December 2010. The system, which was planned under the Bush administration and modified by Obama, aims to enable the defence of Iranian short and medium-range missiles.

Source: Stars and Stripes