A NATO spokesman says military equipment and troops have started arriving in Poland by air and sea for a major military deployment exercise by the new “Spearhead” force.

Lt. Cmdr. Davide Galli said Tuesday the troops and equipment are arriving at the Baltic port of Szczecin and the Wroclaw airport in the southwest, and will be sent to the western test range in Zagan for the Joint Task Force exercise that runs until May 27.

Up to 1,500 troops from Spain, Britain, Albania and Poland are training their rapid deployment capabilities in the event of a threat to the alliance’s eastern flank.

Concerned over neighbor Russia’s saber-rattling, Poland is insisting on greater NATO presence and security guarantees, which are expected to be set at the July NATO summit in Warsaw.

(AP)