On Tuesday, July 18, during his second day of the visit to the USA minister Blaszczak participated in the handover ceremony of the position of US Army V Corps deputy commander. Major General Jabloński took over the responsibilities from Major General Joks. It is a historic second time when Polish officer takes over  such an important and prestigious post.

“I thank Major General Joks for his excellent service as the deputy responsible for interoperability of the V Corps. You were the first Polish officer in this position and you contributed greatly to the strengthening of Polish-American military cooperation. I appreciate your involvement in rooting of the V Corps in Poland and enhancing the interoperability of our Armed Forces. At the same time I congratulate Major General Jabloński on his nomination to his new post.”

- stressed minister Blaszczak during the ceremony.

During the ceremony the Minister of National Defence decorated General Kolasheski, commander of the V Corps, with the Gold Medal of Polish Armed Forces.

"The presence of US troops in Poland, especially those of the V Corps is of particular importance for us. We invest in the infrastructure for the US forces so as to create better conditions for their stationing in Poland. I am very glad that Camp Kościuszko became home of the V Corps Forward  Command dislocated permanently in Poland. I see with satisfaction how it grows and strengthens its capabilities. Increased readiness and capabilities of the American forces to take over the command of allocated units deters a potential opponent. I am convinced that this success would not have been possible without professional leadership. “  

- underlined the Minister of National Defence.

On that day, the Minister of National Defence met the leadership of the V Corps of the Army.

„The purpose of my visit is to show the appreciation of American involvement in the strengthening of NATO’s Eastern flank. Here, in Fort Knox , is where the HQ of the V Corps of the US Army is located and the forward command is located in Poznań. US soldiers on the entire NATO Eastern flank are commanded from Poznań. This presence is very important especially in the context of the situation east of Poland. On the one hand, we see Russian aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing war there. On the other hand, we are conscious of the threats stemming from Belarusian territory. We know that today Wagner Group mercenaries are present in Belarus. American presence is the best way to deter the aggressor. I want to stress that it is the Polish military that defends our Homeland. This is why I decided to redeploy two battalion groups from Western to Eastern part of Poland. Those are the 12th and 17th brigade who support our Border Guard there.”

- said the Polish Minister of National Defence during  the first day of his visit to the USA.

On August 1st Mariusz Blaszczak, Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland nominated Major General Maciej Jabłoński to the post of the Deputy Commander of the V Corps of the U.S. Army. MGEN Jabłoński had previously served as the Inspector of the Ground Forces in the General Command of the Polish Armed Forces. He had also been a plenipotentiary of the minister for introduction of American ABRAMS tanks in the Polish Armed Forces.

The HQ of the V Corps was reactivated in 2020 in Fort Knox, Kentucky and its forward command was located in Camp Kościuszko, Poznań, Poland. The HQ consists of approx. 600 soldiers, including nearly 200 serving in Poland. Its main role is to coordinate activities and oversee the US ground forces on NATO’s Eastern flank, operational planning as well as cooperation and synchronisation of American forces with those of other NATO countries. The HQ is pivotal for the integration of U.S. forces deployed to Poland and the synchronisation of their cooperation with our armed forces.

Poland continues to be one of the most active supporters of Ukraine in her efforts to expel Russian forces from its occupied territories. Meetings of the contact group are aimed chiefly at the coordination of overall efforts in support of our Eastern neighbour.