First Permanent U.S. Garrison in Poland to be opened in Poznań. Col. Fonseca: huge testament of our commitment

An official ceremony of transforming the Regional Support Group into U.S. Army Garrison Poland will take place on Tuesday (March 21) at "Camp Kościuszko" in Poznań.

Pentagon spokesperson Gen. Pat Ryder last week announced the intention to launch the permanent U.S. Army garrison in Poland (U.S. Army Garrison Poland, USAG-P.) already in March.

The garrison is to provide infrastructure support and deliver services to American soldiers stationed in Poland.

Commander of U.S. Army Area Support Group-Poland Col. Jorge M. Fonseca told TVN24 that the garrison has been established "to enable the readiness of our soldiers that are deployed out here, but really to work with providing quality of life support and any type of operational support services across Poland". "So really it’s an office and a headquarters that can deliver all the services to the soldiers, so that the soldiers can focus on their mission," he added.

The U.S. Army Garrison is to be composed of 13 military and 140 civil employees. Asked how long they would stay in Poland, Col. Fonseca said that "the civilians rotate a little bit different than military folks". "Up to two years, up to four years, and up to five years. They can extend their duration much longer than the military can. In this area in Europe it’s not uncommon to have civilians that are working here for 5 to 10 years. It builds that institutional knowledge, that really helps," he added.

The Area Support Group Poland chief also said he "has been working with the Polish military for about 15 years". "I have deployed with them to Afghanistan and twice on combat missions. And really, our relationship – I’m from the Illinois Army National Guard - could not be stronger, (stronger - edit.) than ever," he stressed.

"Part of the state partnership program allows us to embed with the Polish partners and really work that relationship. Over the last 15 years or so I’ve developed a lot of good friendships, long-term friendships that have allowed me to better execute the job here, just because it all starts with the relationship that we have," Col. Fonseca added.

"Unfurling the colors of the first army garrison in Poland is a huge testament of our commitment to our bilateral relationship with Poland, but also that demonstrates to our NATO allies that we, our president has pledged permanent presence, and this enduring presence we will definitely show it tomorrow. Such a simple act but of very significant importance," Col. Fonseca underscored.

Poznań will host the eighth U.S. land forces garrison in Europe. Similar units operate in Belgium, Italy, and Germany (where there are five such bases).

In July 2022, President Joe Biden announced the permanent presence of U.S. forces in Poland. V Corps, which is dual headquartered in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Poznań, Poland, is fortifying its forward ranks with permanent, one-year, unaccompanied tours. Previously, Soldiers assigned to V Corps were required to do nine-month rotations.

More than 10,000 U.S. military personnel are currently stationed in the country.