On Thursday, July 15, in Poznań, the head of the Ministry of National Defense participated in the farewell ceremony of Maj. Gen. Adam Joks, who will now assume the duties of the deputy commander of the US Army V Corps at Fort Knox.

- The function of General Joks will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the security of Poland and the security of the countries of NATO's eastern flank. General Adam Joks is the first Polish commander to be appointed to such a high position in the US Army after Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko. This is a historic event. I sincerely congratulate the general and wish him to serve for the security of our homeland - emphasized Minister Mariusz Błaszczak.

At the end of March, Minister Mariusz Błaszczak informed that Maj. Gen. Adam Joks will become the deputy commander of the V Corps of the US Army. At that time general Adam Joks was the commander of the Joint Force Training Center (JFTC) in Bydgoszcz. Previously, he was the deputy chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army.

The Forward Command of the US Army V Corps in Poznań is the only structure of this level of command deployed in Europe. Its main task is to coordinate activities and supervise the US ground forces deployed in Europe, operational planning, and cooperation and synchronization of US forces with the forces of other NATO countries. The command plays a key role in the integration of American troops deployed in Poland and the synchronization of their cooperation with our armed forces. This tangibly increases the interoperability of our troops.

- Today's ceremony is another important step on the way to strengthening ties between Poland and the United States. To build cooperation between the Polish and US military. An important event in the process of building these close relations in the field of defense was the agreement on enhanced defense cooperation between Poland and the United States, signed last year on August 15. The date was not accidental. This is a date commemorating the victorious battle of the Polish Army, a hundred years ago, when the soldiers of the Polish Army stopped the Bolshevik offensive going to the West, going to Europe - emphasized the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

- The signing of this agreement was an event so important that we are working together to create conditions for up to 20,000 US soldiers stationing on the Polish soil if necessary - emphasized the minister. If the need arises, US soldiers in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe will be commanded from this very important place - the Forward Command of the V Corps Poznan.

During the meeting with Polish and American commanders, the minister also mentioned the process of technical modernization of the Polish Armed Forces, including the planned purchase of tanks for the land forces. - In order to build the interoperability of our troops, we equip soldiers of the Polish Army with modern equipment. Yesterday we announced the purchase of the most modern Abrams tanks, said Minister Błaszczak.

- It is a great honor and distinction for me. Entrusting such a high position in the structures of the United States army is an expression of the dynamically developing military cooperation between Poland and the United States, said Maj. Gen. Adam Joks, who during the meeting received a decision appointing him to the position of the deputy commander of the V Corps of the US Army from the minister. - This position is a great challenge for me. I am aware of my responsibilities, tasks and expectations. Thank you, Minister, for your trust in appointing me to this position - emphasized the general.

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The command of the US Army V Corps in Fort Knox was reactivated in February 2020. It will eventually be comprised of over 600 soldiers, 200 of which will serve in the forward command post, which inaugurated operations in the autumn of last year in Poznan. This is one of the benefits of signing the agreement on enhanced defense cooperation in 2020 by the presidents of Poland and the USA, which will allow for permanent increase the US military presence in Poland.