On Tuesday, July 4th , 2020 in Cracow, the head of the Ministry of National Defence met with General James McConvill, Chief of Staff of the US Army and with Major General John Kolasheski, commander of the 1st Infantry Division of the US Army.
 
- Last year, President Andrzej Duda and President Donald Trump signed two declarations that strengthen the US military presence in Poland, but also that determine the endured presence of US troops in Poland. This word is crucial, because the point is that US troops will be permanently in Poland, not only occasionally. The fact that Poles and Americans have a lot in common is also evidenced by the fact that we meet in this place, at the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Mound, the hero of two nations, Polish and American. The commander of the V Corps is a general with the name Kolasheski that sounds beautiful to every Pole - said the Minister.
 
Georgette Mosbacher, the US Ambassador to Poland and Polish and American soldiers also participated in the meeting. During a press conference, it was confirmed that the forward US corps-level command structure will be located in Poland and would be responsible for ensuring the necessary level of command and control and cooperation with European allies.

- I would like to thank Defence Minister Błaszczak and all the leaders of the Polish Armed Forces for all they did to make this process progress. Our countries have just finalized agreements to strengthen defence cooperation, which will lay the foundations for even more deepened and closer cooperation in the future. Both the American and Polish teams have put a great effort into finalizing the document. I would like to thank you very much for these efforts - said Ambassador Mosbacher during the ceremony.

- The alliance between the United States and Poland is proven in battle and is getting stronger and stronger. The reactivation of the V Corps and the establishment of a forward command element in Poland is a fact of history. The V Corps has a rich history and has served in many conflicts in Europe. Today's ceremony shows the US commitment to our allies and partners as well as our commitment to a stronger Europe. Our HQs in Poland strengthens our military relations and allows us to command and control operational forces throughout Europe. Together, we will strengthen interoperability and cooperation - said General James McConvill.
 
During the ceremony, General J. Kolasheski was promoted to the rank of Lietenant General. The ceremony at the Kosciuszko Mound was also accompanied by a Polish-US military picnic, during which one could get familiar with the soldiers' equipment and obtain information on recruitment to the Polish Armed Forces.
 
- I am an American soldier whose family is very proud to serve in Europe. Both my sister and my brother-in-law continue this noble tradition. I am also an American soldier who has significant ties with Poland. On my father's side, my grandfather emigrated from Poland at the beginning of the 20th century. Indeed, the village where my grandfather comes from, Chmielów, is about 20 kilometers from this place - said Lieutenant General John Kolasheski after his appointment to a higher military rank.

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The Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement between Poland and the USA was politically agreed on July 30. It will facilitate further deepening of military cooperation, including the increase in the presence of US soldiers in Poland. Soon, after the editorial work is completed, it is planned to sign the document by both parties.
 
From 2018, during a total of several dozen meetings in the White House, the Pentagon, the US Congress and in Poland, Mariusz Błaszczak, the Minister of National Defence, consistently sought to increase the number of US soldiers stationed on the territory of the Republic of Poland.
 
As a result, US military involvement in Poland has been steadily increasing for several years. Pursuant to two agreements signed by Presidents Andrzej Duda and Donald Trump, it was decided to change the formula for stationing US troops in Poland from rotational to endured. The number of US soldiers stationed in Poland will increase by approx. 1,000. to at least 5.5 thousand.

The US political and military involvement in Europe is of key importance for the security of our continent and the entire Euro-Atlantic area.

Gallery - >>> The Command of the 5th Corps of the US Armed Forces will be established in Poland