The NATO eastern border has become a top priority for the alliance. With tensions in Europe remaining high and the specter of mass conflict a very real possibility, the United States and its allies are doubling down on investment in the region. Poland remains at the forefront of that push, hosting a permanent American presence led by V Corps, making the country a linchpin for NATO’s forward defense strategy.
The “Victory Corps” has a rich history in Europe, serving both World Wars—St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne to D-Day landing troops. Its mission is still fulfilled by a forward command post, an Army garrison headquarters, and a field support battalion in Camp Kosciuszko in Poznan. Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, commander of the unit, calls it the initial permanent U.S. presence on NATO’s eastern border, emblematic of America’s steadfast commitment to its allies’ defense. Polish Army Maj. Gen. Maciej Jablonski was equally eloquent, calling V Corps’ presence “very significant” to national defense and deterrence.
Multi-national battle groups form the mainstay of NATO’s defense posture in the region. They are made up of an American tank battalion, Croatian gunners, Romanian air defense soldiers, and British reconnaissance soldiers—totalling approximately 1,150 soldiers. Combined forces generate uniformity despite national variations and allow troops to battle as one unit.
Lt. Col. Patrick Merriss, the commander of the Polish battle group, stresses that integration is done daily. The soldiers live and train together, adjusting to language and cultural differences long before a crisis of any such kind is ever likely to occur. The result is not just camaraderie but a force capable of functioning as a single, integrated unit.
Modernization is a key driver of readiness. Poland has purchased 250 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams main battle tanks and 26 M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles, one of the largest armored modernizations in decades. Polish crews also completed live-fire qualifications at Nowa Deba Training Area, closely working with U.S. master gunners and operations officers to coordinate and execute large-scale training exercises.
Artillery capacity is also increased. V Corps’ European High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Initiative has allowed Poland and other partners to bring this highly mobile precision strike capability to the field. Combined arms exercises allow partners to practice rapid and precise delivery in real-world environments.
Another essential is aviation modernization. Poland will become the world’s second-largest operator of the AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter, famous for its advanced sensors, software, and weapons systems. Two Apaches that were delivered to Germany recently will train and be upgraded with more firepower, survivability, and interoperability with partners. An Apache Summit brought crews together from Poland, the Netherlands, and Britain to swap tactics and maintenance expertise, further promoting multinational coordination.
Training enables all these skills. V Corps holds 30-40 training exercises annually, ranging from tactical exercises to multilateral major field exercises with thousands of service members. Exercises such as Combined Resolve and Avenger Triad 24 bring thousands of soldiers together to practice sophisticated operations. During Avenger Triad 24, U.S. Army Europe and Africa rehearsed a first-ever Multi-Corps Land Component Command role, commanding six NATO corps in simulated combat—a significant step toward allied joint operations.
Ground troops see the value of these deployments firsthand. Soldiers in the 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment report that deploying to Poland is hard but is worth it. First Lt. Julia Cooke cites professional growth and close relationships established in a difficult setting. Staff Sgt. Yannel Nunez emphasizes friendships forged through shared experience, and Spc. Hayden Eaves identifies the experiences of working with allied forces and equipment as being responsible for expanding his knowledge of joint operations.
Strategically, having a permanent U.S. and NATO troop deployment in Poland does more than deter aggression. It comforts the allies and presents a united front. Advanced systems like Abrams tanks, HIMARS launchers, and Apache helicopters are necessary, but so is building trust, training, and interoperability among allied forces.
At the end of the day, NATO’s land strategy on its eastern flank is about maintaining a force that is ever-prepared in every way: technologically advanced, tactically proficient, and united through shared purpose. For soldiers stationed in Poland, it is a daily routine—lived in the barracks, practiced on the training ranges, and proven in the test of being an actual multinational force.