US deploys fighter jets in Poland and Lithuania amid Ukrainian turmoil

I just noticed this article pop up and thought it might catch the attention of a few of you.  The United States has dispatched F-16 and F-15 fighter jets to deal with the crisis between Russia and the Ukraine.  I was very confused by this for a number of reasons.  The two fighters we dispatched are incredibly outdated for the type of combat they would most likely see if any real air-to-ground assaults were to be initiated, indicating to me that the United States is not likely committed to any real action.  The other source of confusion for me was that our military has become less and less reflective of it's constituents needs, and more of a mercenary force.  From my own personal point of view, it would appear that U.S intervention is both inappropriate and unnecessary, but I would be interested to see what you have to say.