US tanks join Polish army parade as military ties deepen

A group of American tanks and soldiers take part in a yearly military parade marking the Polish Army Day, in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016, in a symbolic show of increased U.S. military involvement in a region shaken by a more assertive Russia. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the U.S. Army commander in Europe, speaks to the press after the Polish Army Day military parade in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. Hodges said the U.S. participation in Poland's armed forces national holiday underlines the increased presence that the U.S. plans in Poland and elsewhere in the region. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

Polish army soldiers salute as tanks roll on one of the city's main streets during a military parade celebrating the Polish Army Day, in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz) (The Associated Press)

American tanks and soldiers have taken part in a yearly military parade in Warsaw, a symbolic show of increased U.S. military involvement in a region shaken by a more assertive Russia.

Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the U.S. Army commander in Europe, said the U.S. participation in Poland's armed forces national holiday Monday underlines the increased presence that the U.S. plans in Poland and elsewhere in the region.

He said: "Poland got a look of what they are going to see a lot of in the future — a U.S. army presence that is substantial and is going to be ongoing."

The Aug. 15 holiday marks Poland's victory over Russian Bolsheviks in 1920 near Warsaw.