The U.S. military establishes permanent garrison in Poland

The US military already has a track record of rotating units into Poland to conduct training. The permanent garrison is at Camp Kosciuszko. This camp is named after a Polish historical figure who is known to have fought against Russia as well as on behalf of the US during the American Revolution. Both the American and Polish sides pointed to Russia as a reason for the need for the permanent presence.

From Notes from Poland:

The US has opened its first military garrison in Poland. It follows last year’s pledge by President Joe Biden to establish a permanent base — America’s first on NATO’s eastern flank — in Poland following Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

“We have been striving for this for years — for this word ‘permanent’ — and it has now become fact,” said Polish defence minister Mariusz B?aszczak at today’s opening ceremony. While Poland has long hosted US troops on a rotational basis, it had lobbied Washington for that to be turned into a permanent presence.

“This is a historic moment, a sign that the United States is committed to Poland and NATO, and that we are united in the face of Russian aggression,” declared Blaszczak.

The garrison — housed in Poznan at Camp Kosciuszko, which is named after the 18th-century hero who fought for both Polish and US independence — will act as the headquarters for the US Army’s V Corps in Poland.

It is the eighth garrison of the US land forces in Europe, with the others located in Germany, Belgium and Italy.

“This garrison is a sign of the United States’ commitment to the security of Europe and Poles,” said Lieutenant General John Kolasheski, commander of the V Corps, quoted by RMF24. “It is evidence of strong NATO ties” and “essential for maintaining combat readiness…from the Suwalki Gap to Poznan and further west”.

The Army, ABC News, Notes from Poland, and military.com have additional information.

Category: International Affairs, Military issues