American soldiers stay in Poland on a permanent and rotational basis; their rotational presence reaches 10,000. soldiers at once – said the deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense, Paweł Zalewski, at the parliamentary defense committee. He added that the Polish-American agreement provides for the implementation of 115 infrastructure projects for the US military.
What troops are in Poland as part of NATO?
At Thursday's meeting of the parliamentary defense committee, Zalewski presented information on the presence of allied troops in Poland – American and other NATO countries. As he emphasized, American soldiers are stationed in Poland in two forms – permanent and rotational. The latter type applies to most American forces in Poland; their total number reaches 10,000. soldiers.
When it comes to constant presencethis category includes: Americans from the so-called base crew anti-missile shield in Redzikowo, Pomerania, forward command of the 5th US Army Corps in Poznań, dealing with, among others, logistics and infrastructure, the garrison in the same city, as well as the staff of the base in Powidz, where equipment for the American armored brigade is stored and kept ready (several thousand pieces of equipment, including tanks, artillery, infantry combat vehicles and security vehicles, ready to be filled by soldiers transferred to Poland in the event of a crisis).
Within rotating attendance Zalewski pointed primarily to: American armored battle groupwhose sub-units are located in western Poland – i.e. in Żagań, Świętoszów, Bolesławiec, Skwierzyna, and also in Toruń. One rotation of this battle group, deployed in Poland as part of the American Atlantic Resolve mission, lasts 9 months.
In addition, American aviation units are stationed in Powidz, Greater Poland, including transport planes involved in, among others, in logistical support for the American presence in the region and joint exercises. In turn, the air base in Łask has US Air Force combat aircraft, including F-15 and F-16, which take part in patrols together with Polish fighters.
In addition The forward division command of American land forces is located in Bolesławiecwhich commands most of the American forces in Poland and on NATO's eastern flank. And in Bemowo Piskie in the province. There is a NATO battalion battle group stationed in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, its core are Americans, but it also includes the British, Romanians and Croatians.
Apart from the Americans – Zalewski reported – Soldiers from other allied countries are currently stationed in Poland – including 150 Canadian soldiers who in Warsaw and Rzeszów coordinate and secure support flowing to Ukraine, and also take part in training for Ukrainian soldiers organized in Poland; they are also present in NATO units in Elbląg, Szczecin and Bydgoszcz.
European allies also became involved in the Eastern Sentry missionsupporting the protection of Polish airspace after the incursion of Russian drones into it in September last year. Okay. 150 German soldiers are stationed in Malbork – these are the crews and service of 4 Eurofighter fighters, which currently support Polish air defense. Until December, two batteries of German Patriot anti-aircraft systems were also deployed in eastern Poland, along the border with Ukraine.
They also provide support for Polish air defense The Dutchwho in recent months have deployed 4 F-35 fighters with crews and service (approx. 120 soldiers) to Poland, and also replaced Germans in eastern Poland, deploying its Patriot and NASAMS anti-aircraft systems there, as well as anti-drone systems; approximately 240 soldiers were engaged to operate them.
They also support the protection of the eastern border Czechs with three helicopters; Czech soldiers are also present in Żagań, where they train Ukrainian soldiers.
Too Norwegians sent 2 F-35 planes (approx. 90 soldiers) to Poland. Norway is also involved in training Ukrainian soldiers at the training ground in Nowa Dęba, where, with its participation, a new training center is being built. Currently, as Zalewski said, there are 19 soldiers from Norway in Nowa Dęba, but this number is expected to increase in the coming months.
In addition to the Americans, there are approximately 140 soldiers in the NATO battle group Great Britain and over 100 soldiers from Romania; Soldiers from these two countries also conduct training for Ukrainians in Żagań. There are also approximately 320 soldiers in Poland Francewho are responsible for training Ukrainians at the training ground in Wędrzyn as part of the EU operation EUMAM.
The deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense also informed that military personnel are also present in Poland in smaller numbers Croatia, India, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Finland, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Greeceand, of course, those coming for training Ukrainian soldiers.
Investments for the needs of allies
Zalewski also presented information on investments carried out in Poland for the needs of allies – primarily the Americans, but also other NATO members. As he said, under the 2020 agreement with the USA, in Poland a total of 115 infrastructure projects are planned to be implemented in 12 different locationskey to securing the American presence in Poland and ensuring the ability to quickly receive allied support if needed.
On the one hand, it's about this investments, such as barracks or canteens for soldiers, and on the other hand, o training centers, logistic bases or, for example, fuel and ammunition depots. Key investments are being made, among others: In Poznań, Powidz, Żagań, Świętoszów and Toruńand also at the Wrocław-Strachowice airportwhich is intended as a logistics base adapted, for example, to unload American air transports.
There are also investment plans objects related to the deployment of American unmanned aerial vehicles in Mirosławiec, West Pomeraniawhere the Polish 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Base is currently located, as well as construction of a special forces facility in Lubliniec, where the Polish Military Commando Unit operates on a daily basis.
Zalewski assured that the priorities, investment implementation schedule and location details are agreed on an ongoing basis with the Americans, and the entire program has been divided into two stages. The first stage – priority – includes, among others: construction of infrastructure for the 5th Corps headquarters in Poznań, expansion of the air base in Wrocław and Łask, as well as military complexes in Powidz, Świętoszów, Żagań and Toruń. These tasks are being implemented – said the deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense – from 2021.
As he added, Lower priority items include: backup locations for the most important American military centerssome support facilities, security facilities or, for example, the construction of an ammunition depot in Łask.
The head of the Inspectorate of Support for the Armed Forces, General Dariusz Mendrala, added that the implementation of 55 out of 115 planned projects has already started, and another 4 are to be launched this year. So far, he said, PLN 2.4 billion has already been spent on projects, and another PLN 735 million is planned for 2026. He noted that the American side is also involved in financing part of the investment.
During the discussion at the committee forum, Zalewski was asked about possible plans of the Americans to reduce their presence in Poland and the region; in response, he assured that there was no new information about such US plans. PAP)
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