An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Aug. 30, 2010

Air Guard plans support for Polish troops

By Tech. Sgt. John Orrell, National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va., - The Air National Guard’s Building Partnerships cell wants to build off of last year’s successful airlift of traditional holiday care packages to Polish and international troops deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Last November, the Air Force’s International Affairs office contacted the cell with a dilemma, said Air Force Lt. Col. David Palmer, the chief of the partnership cell.

The office was working with the American Polish Forum (APF) of Washington, D.C., to deliver traditional holiday care packages, which included American and Polish sweets, hand-written cards and “optatek,” a traditional Polish Christmas wafer.

“The issue was, they had little funding and they were running out of time,” Palmer said.

After making several attempts to find someone to ship these goods, a commercial carrier stepped up and airlifted the goods from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to Ramstein AFB in Germany, he said.

Once they reached Germany, U.S. Air Forces Europe handled the delivery of the packages to troops in Bagram. They were delivered just before the New Year.

“We had a never give up attitude,” Palmer said. “We could have dropped it and walked away, but we didn’t.”

This year, the Building Partnership cell is being proactive with this project.

“We are working with the APF already to ensure that we can find the right sponsorship that will allow us to deliver these goods to the troops fighting with us,” said Palmer. “I just feel that we are doing something to pay them back for their sacrifice.”

The Air National Guard is helping to develop a new Air Force service core function that focuses on building international relationships that may prevent future conflicts.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...