First permanent U.S. Army Garrison in Poland opens at Camp Kościuszko

On Tuesday, March 21, at Camp Kosciuszko in Poznań, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Mariusz Błaszczak and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski took part in a ceremony of transformation of the Area Support Group Poland (ASG-P) into the U.S. Army Garrison Poland (USAG-P), Poland's Defence Ministry said at its website.

"We are proud of the declaration of President Biden regarding the permanent presence of American troops in Poland. We have been striving for this for years, for the word 'permanent' - and it has just become a reality," Błaszczak said during a ceremony to establish U.S. Army Garrison Poland.

"As of today, the garrison in Poznań begins its activities. The U.S. Land Forces V Corps Forward Command is already operating, thus it is from Poland that the U.S. land forces that are on NATO's eastern flank are commanded. Our soldiers practice with each other," he added.

"Not far from Poznań, in Biedrusko, there is the Abrams Academy - an academy that prepares Polish tankers for service on Abrams tanks, which will go to the Polish Army already this year. And this is the good news regarding Poland's security and the security of NATO's eastern flank." - the defence minister stressed.

The Defence Ministry added that the U.S. Army Garrison Poland would be the eighth permanent garrison of the U.S. armed forces in Europe and the first permanent garrison of U.S. troops in Poland. During the ceremony, the Garrison's banner was presented and handed over, and the order establishing U.S. Army Garrison - Poland was read.

"Our cooperation is going extremely well, even exemplary. I want to assure you that later this year, together with Ambassador Brzezinski, we will invite you to meetings during which we will present the results of our cooperation," the Deputy PM said.

"This year, in addition to Abrams tanks, the HIMARS system will be equipped for the Polish Armed Forces. There are already Patriots. Next year we will receive the first F-35 aircraft. We are still negotiating for other military equipment. Our goal is to achieve interoperability with the US military. Our goal is to equip the Polish Armed Forces with equipment that will be as compatible as possible with American ones. The United States has the strongest armed forces in the world, and we intend to use the best models," he added.

The head of the Ministry of Defense then thanked the soldiers of the US Land Forces for their presence in Poland and for joint exercises with the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces.

"Finally, I wish to address the American soldiers. Thank you very much for your service on Polish soil. I am proud that Polish soldiers can practice and increase interoperability with the soldiers of the United States Ground Forces. I will conclude with the V Corps motto, 'It Will Be Done!'" - Błaszczak underscored.

The next one to take the floor after minister Błaszczak was U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski. "It's a privilege to join you for another pivotal moment in the Polish-U.S. relationship. As representatives of our governments, nothing is more important than providing security for our respective peoples," he said, addressing Błaszczak.

Soldiers and distinguished guests, I'm so glad you could be here today to bear witness to the establishment of the U.S. Army Garrison - Poland. I love saying that: "U.S. Army Garrison - Poland". It holds, for this Polish American, so much symbolism," Brzezinski said pointing at himself.

He also thanked the soldiers for dedicating their careers and lives "to keep us safe". "This army garrison ensures our brave men and women in the uniform have the support they need, so they can focus on their mission - permanent support for troops permanently stationed in Poland," he said. "The garrison provides a home away from home for U.S. soldiers: legal, postal, housing, recreational services and so on. This is historic," the ambassador stressed.

"It signals that we are here to stay, it signals to the world that the United States is committed to Poland and to the NATO alliance, that we are united in the face of Russian aggression.

Another one to speak was U.S. General John Kolasheski, Commander of V Corps in Poland. He said that the opening of the garrison was "a culmination of years of hard work".

"Today, in the face of unwarranted Russian aggression, the NATO alliance stands stronger than ever. When Russia hoped its action would fracture the alliance, it is clear that it underestimated our collective strength and resolve. The relationship of the U.S. and Poland serves as an example of deepening ties throughout the Alliance," Gen. Kolasheski stressed.

"All across the NATO eastern flank soldiers of the alliance are deployed together, showing that when you're faced west, you are looking at a collective strength of 30 nations. As those in Poland understand that solidarity is a powerful word and a powerful signal to deter would-be aggressors," the general added.

Tommy Mize, Director of Installation Management Command Europe, said that "much planning and effort has gone into the transition of the army support group into permanent army garrison". "Much work remains as we continue to fully man and resource the garrison, and also as we refine and improve the garrison's systems and processes," he added.

"Our decades-long relationship with other communities and host nations throughout Europe have taught us valuable lessons that we're eagerly look forward to applying here in Poznań. ... We look forward to work closely with our Polish partners," Tommy Mize stressed. He added the opening of the garrison "is a symbol of our commitment to our role in supporting the eastern flank".

Coloner Jorge Fonseca, Commander of the U.S. Army Garrison - Poland, said: "Our primary mission and job as a garrison is to execute base operations and installation support services at our forward operating sites in Poland".

"Our main focus is improving soldier and civilian quality of life and enhancing the operational readiness of U.S. Army Europe and Africa and V Corps rotational units in the Republic of Poland," he expained.

As we established this garrison here at the headquarters in Poznań, we must recognize that we're not just building a military installation, but we're also becoming an enduring member of the vibrant and proud communities. ... We will eagerly engage with local leaders, organizations, and those who call these places home, to build strong relationships formed with mutual respect and trust," Col. Fonseca stressed.

"There is a permanence in the act of organizing this garrison today. ... The deepening of the strategic alliance joining our countries begins with the local friendships and partnerships that are forged here," he underscored.

The U.S. Land Forces V Corps' Forward Command, which has been operating on Polish territory since 2020, was named Camp Kościuszko in July 2022. Its main task is to coordinate operations and supervise U.S. ground forces in Europe, operational planning, and cooperation and synchronization of U.S. forces with the militaries of other NATO countries. The command plays a key role in integrating U.S. troops deployed in Poland and synchronizing their interaction with our armed forces. This realistically improves the interoperability of Polish and American troops.

Camp Kościuszko, or rather The Tadeusz Kościuszko Polish Army Training Camp, was the name given to a training camp of more than 22,000 Polish volunteers of General Jozef Haller's Blue Army, which was being formed in France. It operated from 1917 to 1919 on the US-Canadian border in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake