The U.S. has canceled the deployment of more than 4,000 troops to Poland
The United States has canceled the deployment of more than 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland. This involves the redeployment of the 2nd Armored Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division and associated military equipment.
Sources in the U.S. Army reported the change in plans, according to Defense News.
News of the cancellation began circulating among service members on the morning of May 11.
Soldiers told their friends and relatives about it, but there were no official public statements from the Pentagon.
A U.S. Army spokesperson confirmed the cancellation of the deployment but declined to provide details and referred journalists’ inquiries to the U.S. Department of Defense. The Pentagon did not respond to media inquiries.
During budget hearings in the U.S. Congress on May 12, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army General Christopher Lanev did not mention the cancellation of the troop deployment to Poland.
At the same time, Senator Jack Reed stated that the U.S. Army is facing a budget shortfall of at least $2 billion due to ongoing operations.
Among the reasons cited for the budget deficit are the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., the military’s participation in strengthening U.S. border security, and other ongoing military operations.
According to ABC News, which reviewed a report by U.S. military officials, the Pentagon’s actual budget deficit could range from $4 billion to $6 billion.
As a reminder, the first F-35 fighter jets manufactured by the U.S. for Poland are scheduled to arrive in late May. This will mark a key milestone in the introduction of fifth-generation fighter jets into the Polish military, which has been preparing the infrastructure and training pilots for their use for several years.
