Airmen celebrate Independence Day with Polish community

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Airmen from the 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group Detachment 2, operating out of Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland hosted a Fourth of July celebration for the local polish community.

“We did a typical American style cookout with burgers and hot dogs,” said Master Sgt. Marcquis Simon, 52nd EOG Det. 2 senior enlisted manager. “I hope this event helps strengthen our friendship with the local community where we live.”

During the festival, more than 600 Polish people showed up for an opportunity to experience a bit of American culture in Poland. There were games, music, and activities such as corn hole, volleyball, and three bouncy houses for the children.

“This is a great opportunity to show society the American culture and the meaning of the Fourth of July and to build a good relationship.” said Piotir Pawlik, mayor of Miroslawiec.

This isn’t the first time Americans and Polish have celebrated together. Back in May, Lt. Col. John Jimenez and his detachment were invited to celebrate Constitution Day with the Polish community.

“America has a lot of similarities with Poland,” said Jimenez, 52nd EOG Det. 2 commander. “Both countries constitutions are the longest standing in the world, ours is first and theirs is second.”

Establishing and maintaining this good relationship with the Polish military and the local community, is very important to create a solid foundation of partnership for this recently bedded down detachment that operates unarmed MQ-9 Reapers.

“The intent here is to help promote stability in the region,” said Jimenez. “This air platform is a full force multiplier, because it does a full gamut of high end combat such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, strike coordination and reconnaissance, and close air support.”

Jimenez went on to talk about the endurance capability of this remotely pilot aircraft which can train NATO partner’s entire Joint Terminal Attack Controllers community in a day.

“We’re invited guests and we want to make sure we remain invited guests and that we are welcome here,” said Jimenez. “And part of that is, offering some hospitality of our own.”

The event ended with a small fireworks display.