Polish soldiers return home from Afghanistan

Officials have welcomed a group of Polish soldiers coming home from their last tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak speaks during a welcoming ceremony for Polish soldiers at Wrocław Airport on Wednesday.

Photo: PAP/Maciej Kulczyński

During a ceremony at Wrocław Airport in the southwest of Poland, Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak this week thanked his country’s military contingent for its service and told the soldiers that their efforts were appreciated.

First troops from the Polish 🇵🇱 Military Contingent to #Afghanistan 🇦🇫
returned home.

For 20 years Poland 🇵🇱 has contributed to the biggest @NATO mission in history @ResoluteSupport #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/vAWekzxonT

— PLinNATO (@PLinNATO) June 26, 2021

"You have fulfilled your mission and proved that Polish Army soldiers are ready to support our allies when there is such a need,” Błaszczak said as he greeted the soldiers on Wednesday.

By participating in the mission in Afghanistan 🇵🇱 soldiers proved we are a reliable @NATO member, shared their best practices and gained priceless experience. pic.twitter.com/dbPn90UEXh

— Poland MOD 🇵🇱 (@Poland_MOD) June 30, 2021

He added that the mission in Afghanistan, alongside that in Iraq, “was the single biggest challenge for the Polish Army since World War II.”

Photo: PAP/Maciej Kulczyński

“You passed this test with flying colours,” he told the soldiers.

After almost two decades 🇵🇱 soldiers are closing their mission in 🇦🇫
Along with @NATO and other Allies we end the chapter triggered by 2001 Sept 11 attacks on the US.
33 000 🇵🇱 soldiers fought terrorists, assisted the population and shared experience with Afghan Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/vbvhF46iTz

— Poland MOD 🇵🇱 (@Poland_MOD) June 30, 2021

"Unfortunately,” he added, “43 of our men did not make it home from the Afghan mission and a further 200 were injured.”

The end of the 🇵🇱Polish mission in Afghanistan 🇦🇫
- - -
The mission in Afghanistan is one of the longest and most difficult foreign operations of the Polish Armed Forces. Polish soldiers have been present in Afghanistan for almost 20 years

Read more: https://t.co/1tSFRky2BD pic.twitter.com/uLnWzWo7LL

— Poland MOD 🇵🇱 (@Poland_MOD) July 2, 2021

"Poland remembers them and we also remember about their families,” he declared, while also asserting that recent changes in law allowed his country to take better care of its veterans and their family members.

(int/gs)

Source: IAR