Signed declaration reveals details of US military presence in Poland
Paweł Soloch head of the National Security Bureau told PAP that the declaration signed by President Andrzej Duda and US President Donald Trump in New York on Monday deepens the military cooperation between the two countries.
Soloch said that "the basic achievement of this declaration is that it details and gives a more technical dimension to the June declaration regarding the increase in the number of US soldiers in Poland. This is another step that gives it a specific form," he stated.
Soloch noted that "both documents are signed by representatives of states at the highest level, which also shows that also the president of the United States is personally involved in making it happen." He added that from Poland's point of view, the most important thing was to have as many US troops in Europe as possible, and that America be connected with Europe as much as possible.
At the moment, there are nearly 4,500 US soldiers in Poland. This number "is expected to grow by approximately 1,000 additional United States military personnel in the near term," says the document. Trump said the additional US troops would "most likely" be transferred from other European bases.
According to the declaration, Poland and the United States have also determined locations for this planned enhanced US military presence. Poznan, in western Poland, will host the Division Headquarters (Forward) and the United States Army area support group.
Drawsko Pomorskie, in north-western Poland, will host the primary Combat Training Center for joint use by the Polish and United States Armed Forces. Wroclaw-Strachowice, in south-western Poland is to host the United States Air Force aerial port of debarkation. Lask, in central Poland, will host the United States Air Force remotely piloted aircraft squadron.
Powidz, in west-central Poland, will host a combat aviation brigade, a combat sustainment support battalion, and a special operations forces facility. Lubliniec, in southern Poland will be the site of a special operations forces facility.
Source: PAP