On Wednesday, June 17, the head of the Ministry of National Defence and Georgette Mosbacher, US Ambassador in Poland, watched one of the episodes of the Polish-US DEFENDER - Europe 20 Plus exercise in which nearly 6,000 Polish and US soldiers and around 2,000 equipment units: tanks, combat vehicles, artillery, missile sets and aviation took place.

- We want Polish-US relations to be even closer. Everything is ahead of us. I am of good thought that together we will carry out tasks for the security of Poland, for the entire eastern flank of NATO and the entire free world, because this transatlantic cooperation is just focused on ensuring security and freedom for Europe and the world - emphasized Minister Mariusz Błaszczak.

- I am impressed, I am proud of what we have just seen. I am impressed by the skills presented by Polish Armed Forces soldiers and US soldiers and also by the cooperation of both armed forces. Together we are stronger! - added the head of the Ministry of National Defence.

The main exercising unit of the Polish Armed Forces is the 12th Mechanized Brigade, as well as soldiers from the 6th Airborne Brigade from Krakow, 9th Braniew Cavalry Brigade, as well as the 2nd Engineering Regiment, 2nd Sapper Regiment and the 5th Engineering Regiment. The exercise also involves the aviation component represented by F-16 aircraft from the 2nd Tactical Air Wing and Mi-24 helicopters from the 1st Land Forces Aviation Brigade. 10 aircraft from the 3rd Transport Aviation Wing are also involved in the exercise.

- It is thanks to leadership that we can meet difficult challenges. (...) Freedom is not given once and for all. Freedom is not free. We must strengthen it all the time. I am very happy that the exercises that are carried out with the participation of Polish and US soldiers such freedom and such a common love of life and striving for happiness cement even more. The United States and Poland have a very strong relationship, which, among others is expressed in the fact that 10 million Poles live in the United States. We also have many US citizens with Polish roots and I am glad that we can once again see this strong bond in exercises of this kind. At the same time, this bond touches President Trump and President Duda very strongly. I can even say that it is a special and unique bond, and it will strengthen, which we will probably see soon - said Georgette Mosbacher, US Ambassador in Poland during the observation of DEFENDER Europe 20 Plus.

On the US side, approximately 4,000 soldiers from the Advanced Command of the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Group, 3rd Infantry Division and the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Army Training Command and 21st Command Theater Support and the Joint Multinational Readiness Center participate in the exercise.

- I am very happy that it is possible to carry out these exercises both today and throughout the entire passing month, despite the pandemic. It is extremely important that we, even in such difficult pandemic conditions, are able to maintain readiness, are able to practice and perform the tasks that have been entrusted to us. This ability is a great proof that we don't give up in the face of any difficulties. The operation was carried out with the participation of 6,000 soldiers over the past month, which is also very impressive. What accompanies us all the time is mutual trust and professional admiration of one side for the other. I am glad that in such a spirit we can carry out these exercises - said in turn General Christopher Cavoli, commander of the US Army in Europe.

Summing up the exercise, the commander of the 12th Mechanized Division noted that it was a test for integration of procedures and command support systems.

- We have also focused a lot of effort on providing support for the fighting armoured and mechanized forces by aviation, artillery, air defence, chemical and engineering units through the integration of procedures for joint implementation of the effort to address various threats. (...) I am deeply convinced that the enormous effort and effort put by US and Polish soldiers, that the great leadership of US commanders led to an increase in the combat capabilities of our divisions and certainly increased security on NATO's eastern flank - added the commander of the 12th Mechanized Division.

 

GALLERY - >> Defender Europe 20+

 

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DEFENDER-Europe 20 Plus is a modification of the initially planned exercise DEFENDER-Europe 20 - the largest deployment of forces /of the size of the division/, in full combat readiness from the United States to Europe for 25 years. It was planned to transfer 20,000 US soldiers. The main goal of DEFENDER-Europe 20 before and after modification is to increase preparedness for crisis situations by checking not only the ability of the US army to quickly transfer large numbers of US soldiers and equipment, but also the readiness of host countries to accept them.

At the time of the decision to modify this exercise and to stop moving equipment from the United States to Europe, more than ninety percent of the equipment intended for DEFENDER-Europe 20 arrived from the United States by air or sea to the Old Continent. Thanks to the presence of already transferred troops and equipment that has reached Poland - while maintaining all sanitary standards -  the modified Polish - US exercise DEFENDER-Europe 20 Plus was e carried out.

The main goal of the exercise is to increase strategic readiness and interoperability thanks to the ability to quickly deploy troops from the US to Europe, as well as to check the possibilities of host countries to accept them. It is worth noting that the logistics – a key for the interoperability have been tested and developed. The exercises, which will last until June 19, also increase the security of the eastern flank and serve to develop procedures for the use of troops against new challenges of the modern battlefield and deter the potential aggressor.