"Powidz is a military complex prepared to support Polish and NATO forces on the eastern flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance" - Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said on Monday (November 7). He also announced the launch of investments under a Polish-American agreement. U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski, who came to Powidz together with Błaszczak, said Poland and the United States "celebrate another milestone in our ever-closer, bilateral relationship - one that adds an increased level of security and stability to Poland and the entire region".
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak and United States Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski visited the 33rd Air Base in Powidz. They annouced plans to expand the facility in line with the Polish-American Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) from 2020.
Under the deal, the Powidz base will get Deployable Airbase Systems (DABS) as well as Bulk Fuel Storages (BFS).
"This is another meeting that results in the initiation of new investment. It is intended for the U.S. Air Force. Namely, equipped with Apache and stationed here in Powidz US Combat Aviation Brigade," Poland's Ministry of National Defence quoted Błaszczak as saying on Twitter.
Błaszczak also reminded that the construction of an ammunition depot in Powidz had commenced in June. "We might say that Powidz is a military complex prepared to support Polish and NATO forces on the eastern flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance,"he added.
"In the following years, we will build a base with hangars and warehouses, as well as a fuel store, so that Apache could operate in support of Polish and NATO forces," Polish MOD quoted Błaszczak in a tweet.
"Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak, great to see you again, great to be in Powidz with you again as we celebrate another milestone in our ever-closer, bilateral relationship - one that adds an increased level of security and stability to Poland and the entire region," said U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski.
"I'm thrilled that we are back in Powidz today. I've been here so many times I feel I should buy like a small działka (plot of land - edit.) or something here, because I feel very much at home here in Powidz. It's the place where the Poland-provided infrastructure project debuted in June and at the time on a munitions storage unit. Today we begin two more important projects," Brzezinski added.
The ambassador also published a tweet with photos from the event, in which he wrote: "Further investment in military infrastructure in Powidz are milestones increasing security and stability in the region. U.S. Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, and NATO Armed Forces will be prepared and equipped for immediate reaction to any enemy action".
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24