Important context for US president
"In my view this is a crucial visit for President Nawrocki and for Poland. President Nawrocki must seize the opportunity to make the case for the permanent assignment of American forces to Poland. President Nawrocki can provide important context to help President Trump understand that America has a generational opportunity to deepen defense cooperation with Poland. In doing so, America will capitalize on Poland’s unwavering commitment to Freedom, to America, and to NATO. What’s important about this commitment I am speaking about is that it’s not about platitudes, it is about real substantial results. Poland is putting everything "on the field," (an American sports phrase) to do everything it can to ensure it does not have to take to the field of battle. In this respect, Poland is a trendsetter for Europe, and finally other Allies recognize this, and are doing more following Poland’s example. In other words, Poland "get’s it," that we need to face down Russia and global threats via Peace-Through-Strength", says COL Ray Wojcik, former US military attaché in Poland, to polskieradio24.pl.
As he reminds, "Poland is acquiring ~$60,000,000,000 in sophisticated American-made military equipment. Poland is increasing its combat divisions to 6 (that’s four more than the UK) and troops to 300,000. Poland is essentially building a military which looks like a smaller twin of the United States armed forces. That’s why during his visit, President Nawrocki needs explain why the United States needs to establish permanent presence of forces in Poland. This does not require a massive amount of American troops as were assigned to West Germany during the Cold War. What’s needed is the right mix of American forces in Poland to both deter Russia, and to rapidly transform Polish military capabilities".
"Poland’s President ultimately needs to explain to President Trump how U.S. forces in Poland, actually support his America-First agenda", Colonel Wojcik says.
As he explains, American forces in Poland will:
1) "Assist Poland to rapidly become a military powerhouse and NATO’s bastion against revisionist-Russia. Simultaneously, America will have the most capable, trusted and interoperable Ally on the planet in Poland. We should remember that since the end of the Cold War, that on every major operation the U.S. military has undertaken, her Polish Ally has been there, right alongside. I should also underline, that two Poles helped General Washington achieve victory in the American revolution, I mean of course Gen Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Gen Kazimierz Pulaski. So, this is not new. Poland has been there for America, and America has been there for Poland for centuries".
(2) "Work with the Polish Armed Forces utilizing lessons from Russia and Ukraine to develop new doctrine and tactics. America and Poland can test new doctrine together on Poland’s expanding training grounds, which Poland is expanding by the way, at America’s request. We can prepare for "future-war" together (wherever such a conflict may occur)".
(3) "Deter Russia, China and their allies. That’s because a Strong Poland, means a Strong Europe. This greatly assists America in its necessary focus on the Pacific, while it still leads the Western Alliance to a posture of global deterrence".
New opportunities
"At America’s request, Poland is upgrading its training centers to enhance American joint forces training alongside Polish and other Allies. Poland is already NATO’s hub for Lessons Learned in Ukraine, where U.S. Army doctrine experts often visit. U.S. and Polish forces will train and incorporate lessons from Russia and Ukraine adapting forces for future conflict. This synergy means America, Poland, Ukraine and other Allies, can develop new doctrine and tactics to prepare for future conflict, including a potential war with China", says Ray Wojcik.
"Poland is spending additional billions of dollars to improve infrastructure on its bases to support American forces. This is a promise Poland made to America when President Trump and President Duda signed the U.S.-Poland Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement in 2020. Poland keeps its promises and to date, has spent over $3,000,000,000 on base improvements and logistical support for American troops", he adds.
"USA "Global Reach" is maximized, utilizing Poland as a logistics and support hub. The US Air Force (USAF) has decades of experience working out of multiple Polish Airbases which Poland continues to expand and improve, including to support U.S. and Allied aircraft. This includes Rzeszow Airport, where Poland hosts NATO’s vital logistics hub for Ukraine. Additionally, the small USAF Aviation Detachment based in Poland, plays an important role in coordinating USAF - Polish Air Force and Allied air operations", Ray Wojcik says.
And the diplomat pointed out new infrastructure opportunities.
"Poland’s infrastructure expansions include construction of a 30-40 million passenger mega-airport connected to high-speed rail across Poland. This is Poland’s "Central Communications Port" (CPK), located outside of Warsaw. This project will massively boost Poland’s economic outlook and increase transportation options for all of Europe. Importantly, for the U.S. and NATO, CPK significantly increases Military Mobility for exercises and during crisis and war. This CPK development means that in the future, there will be a USAF Ramstein-level airbase capability in Poland, available for U.S. global operations", he explaines.
"With the majority of Poland’s new state of the art military equipment produced in America, Poland is the perfect European Hub for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of American tanks, helicopters, fighter jets, Air and Missile Defense systems, Rocket Artillery, Anti-Tank systems, and more. While the rest of Europe focuses on its own domestic production, Poland’s industrial base has the flexibility and capacity to be an essential partner in America’s defense-supply chain", Colonel Ray Wojcik says.
As he adds: "There is no better place for American forces to be stationed, to develop new doctrine and to train for future conflict - and that means a conflict anywhere - than alongside stalwart Polish Allies, who have stood with America for 250 years. Poland has the political will and is building a smaller twin version of the American Army and Air Force, exactly where America needs such a military powerhouse - right in the "Heart of Europe." President Nawrocki should ensure President Trump understands what Poland offers in not only standing up to Russia, but how the effect of deterring Russia assists America in deterring her number one global threat - China".
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PolskieRadio24.pl/agkm
