BEMOWO PISKE, Poland - NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller visited the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland for the battle group's one year anniversary and to discuss accomplishments of the battle group over the past 12 months at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, March 16, 2018.
The NATO 2016 Warsaw Summit endorsed plans for the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) of four battalion-sized battle groups, deployed on a persistent rotational basis, to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
Battle Group Poland is one of four NATO multinational battle groups arrayed across NATO's eastern flank in the Baltic region and Poland with the mission to deter aggression and defend the Alliance's borders if required.
Battle Group Poland participated in numerous multinational operations and exercises with allies. Most of these focused heavily on testing the battle group's facets of interoperability, communicate as a battle group, deploying as a multinational force and maintaining the common operating picture.
Gottemoeller met with battle group leaders briefly to discuss the mission and status of the unit over the past year. She also took time to speak with troop of the battle group about how their deployment has been and some of the elements that each group brings to the overall composition.
"I would like to thank military leaders, military personnel and most of all the citizens of Poland for your vital role in hosting and contributing to this battle group," said Gottemoeller. "Your public has been so very supportive of NATO's work here."
The NATO Deputy Secretary General took time to view military weapon systems and vehicles at a capabilities static display and spoke with the Soldiers of the battle group, Gottemoeller offered words of affirmation to the group and a brief press conference with local media.
"I see Soldiers here representing the U.S., U.K., Romania and Croatia it is an extraordinary tribute to what NATO stands for," said Gottemoeller. "The battle group symbolizes the spirit of our Alliance, which is best summed with a powerful set of seven words: All for one and one for all."
The Deputy Secretary General closed out her visit with statements to the press alongside leadership of the battle group, where she recognized Poland for their contributions to the Alliance in both capabilities and growth and finished by thanking the daily contributions of the Soldiers.
The U.S.-led squadron completes its rotational deployment next month, after which most of the multinational units of Battle Group Poland redeploy to their home countries. The Battle Group Poland transfer of authority is scheduled on April 20, 2018. 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment will be the lead US element replacing 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment as they redeploy to Germany.
Battle Group Poland helps in supporting Atlantic Resolve and in demonstrating the U.S. commitment to the security of NATO and NATO allies. This unique, multinational battle group comprised of U.S., U.K., Croatian and Romanian Soldiers serve with the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade as a deterrence force in northeast Poland in support of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence.
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