First U.S. reinforcement troops arrive in Poland, more expected

The first U.S. troops reinforcing NATO allies in eastern Europe amid a Russian military buildup on Ukraine's border arrived on Saturday at Rzeszow military base in southeastern Poland.

A small plane carrying what a Polish military source said were U.S. chain of command personnel landedat Rzeszow-Jasionka airport as preparations continued at the base, which is near Poland's border with Ukraine.

TV footage showed temporary accommodation being prepared at the G2A Arena in the nearby town of Jasionka, while workers could be seen building a fence around the venue.

"As announced, the first elements of the brigade battle group from the 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army have arrived in Poland," a Polish military spokespersonsaid.

The U.S. army confirmed that the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, Maj.-Gen.Christopher Donahue, had arrived in Poland.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden ordered nearly 3,000 extra troops to Poland and Romania to shield eastern Europe from a potential spillover from the Ukraine crisis.

About 1,700 service members, mainly paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, will deploy from Fort Bragg, N.C., to Poland in the coming days,U.S. army sources have said.

According to the Pentagon, a squadron of about1,000 U.S. service members based in the German town of Vilseck will be sent to Romania.

The first additional U.S. troopsfrom the 18th Airborne Corps arrived in Germany on Friday.

"Our Corps' presence serves to bolster existing U.S. forces in Europe and demonstrates our commitment to our NATO allies and partners," Capt.Matt Visser, a spokespersonfor the 18th Airborne Corps, was quoted as saying in a statement on Saturday.

Russia has denied plans to invade Ukraine but has deployed more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. It says it could take unspecified military measures if its demands are not met, including a promise by the North Atlantic Treaty Organizationnever to admit Kyiv.

The latest U.S. deployment goesbeyond the 8,500 troops the Pentagon put on alert last month to deploy to Europe if needed. NATO defenceministers are expected to discuss further reinforcements at their next meeting on Feb. 16-17.