The Army Times portal reported that the U.S. Army had "suddenly halted" a planned rotation to Poland, which would have reduced American personnel in Europe to pre-2022 levels — before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The report said the cancelled deployment involved the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team from the 1st Cavalry Division, comprising more than 4,000 troops and equipment.
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk was quick to dispute the framing. "This is not true. This communication concerns Germany. It does not concern Poland. Poland is consistently seeking to increase the presence of American troops", he wrote on X.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz echoed the denial. "This matter does not concern Poland — it is related to the previously announced change in the presence of some U.S. forces in Europe. The rapidly developing capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces and the presence of U.S. forces in Poland strengthen NATO's eastern flank", he said.
Minister-Coordinator of Special Services Tomasz Siemoniak also weighed in, calling the clarification "very important" and confirming that the U.S. Army rotation cancellation "does not concern Poland".
According to Army Times, a U.S. Army spokesman confirmed the decision but provided no details, referring all questions to the Pentagon, which did not respond to a request for comment. Some elements of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team were already in Poland, and equipment was reportedly en route as planned. The decision came as a surprise, though word had reportedly begun circulating among soldiers on Tuesday morning.
The Army Times also cited remarks by Senator Jack Reed, the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who at a Tuesday hearing flagged a USD 2 billion shortfall in the Army's budget.
"I have received troubling reports about the possible cancellation of training rotations, reduction of flight hours, and cuts to National Guard and Reserve training resources", Reed said. Pentagon officials did not address the issue.
The move echoes last year's withdrawal of a U.S. brigade rotationally stationed in Romania, which drew sharp criticism from congressional Armed Services Committee chairs.
Earlier this year, Congress passed provisions in the annual Pentagon authorization bill prohibiting reductions of U.S. forces in Europe below 76,000 for more than 45 days without separate reports from the Pentagon chief and the commander of U.S. European Command justifying the decision.
(jh)
Source: Polish Radio