Blog Posts tagged with "Poland"

Just last week, I visited the Krakow School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which was heavily damaged in the spring floods of 2010, to deliver furniture and pianos donated by the U.S. Government.

The pianos, desks, chairs and shelves – which replaced equipment destroyed in the flood – were excess items from Department of Defense schools in Europe. The Krakow school trains the students in music and piano tuning, so the pianos are invaluable in the Polish students' education and training.

Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, Adjutant General Illinois National Guard, meets students from the Krakow School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The gratitude expressed to me for the contributions of the school equipment was nothing short of overwhelming. The good will engendered among local and provincial officials, school administrators, students, parents and the public at large cannot begin to be measured. This was truly an example of American "soft power" at its best.

During the visit, I had the opportunity to meet and interact with several local dignitaries and community leaders, including the deputy governor of Malopolska Province, Andrzej Harezlak; the commander of Maloposka Province fire brigades, Col. Andrzej Mroz; and his deputy, Col. Jozef Galica; professors Jozef Danko and Rafal Danko, engineering professors at the AGH University of Science and Technology; as well as Director Barbara Planta of the school. U.S. Deputy Consul General Jeffrey C. Vick also attended the ceremony with several consular staff. 

This event, in my opinion, clearly burnished the American military image in this important area of Poland. 

Mr. Vick took the opportunity to increase military contact by inviting the school to participate in the consulate’s program for school children to make and send Christmas cards to Task Force White Eagle, the Polish battle group in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. When Polish military aircraft pick up the cards in Krakow, the school children are allowed to tour the aircraft and meet the crews. 

Since the Illinois National Guard has a long-standing relationship with Poland through the State Partnership Program, this was not my first trip to the country. I attended the state funerals last year, which Mr. Vick said had a very positive impact on public opinion toward the U.S. in general and the American military in particular.

The Illinois National Guard has been developing its partnership with Poland since 1993.  It has developed over the years from a basic military exchange program to a bilateral relationship that enhances regional security and has assisted in the transformation of Poland’s former Soviet-bloc conscription force to the current all volunteer, professional military.  Since the initial entry of Polish forces into Iraq, Illinois National Guard forces have deployed with the Polish Task Forces, a relationship that continues today. 

Currently, 18 Soldiers from the Illinois National Guard are embedded with and filling critical leadership and support roles with Task Force White Eagle. 

At the Illinois National Guard, we believe the single greatest contribution we can make to the long-term security of the U.S. is the relationship we have forged with Poland, which not only leads to a stable central Europe, but also adds a valuable ally in our long-term commitment to fight terrorism and instability throughout the world.

William L. Enyart
Major General, The Adjutant General
Illinois National Guard

Airmen from the California and Alabama Air National Guards en route to Safe Skies 2011

My trip began in Alabama where the thick-hot temperature was exaggerated by the asphalt on the runway as we boarded a C-17 packed with Aerospace Ground Equipment and Engine shop supplies. We sat huddled around the travel bins and a spare F-16 engine for the flight to Mirgorod via Maine. Fifteen hours after we started, the crew chief on the C-17 announced, “Everyone take your seats we are about to land.”

After our plane bounced down a beaten tar and concrete runway, 65 of us began processing through customs, located in a pre-Cold War tent located at the edge of the runway. Suffering from jet lag and pure exhaustion, our first introduction to Ukraine was working our way down a line, being interviewed by customs. “How much dollars do you have? Do you have any drugs or weapons?” spoken to us in Ukrainian and then echoed by a translator. Little did I realize that I would later call that translator my friend.

A massive yellow bus delivered us to the place we would call home for the next 17 days. ‘Resort’ was used to describe the hotel, but it more closely resembled a modest college dorm: two twin beds and a small refrigerator in the corner. Later the outlet that powered the refrigerator would be capitalized to run a small oscillating fan to generate a modest breeze of relief as Mirgorod reached 97 degrees.

Col. Scott Patten, 187FW/CC, climbs into an SU-27

Once the opening ceremonies were completed, our pilots walked out to their jets. The mighty Vipers sat juxtaposed against the Ukraine landscape and the SU-27s and MiG-29s perched on the other end of the ramp. This was the first time an operational U.S. fighter unit was on the ground in Ukraine…the first time…ever.

While we were here, our jets operated as both blue- and red-air, serving as the hi-jacked aircraft as well as the interceptors, clearing the airspace from any airborne threats over both Ukraine and Poland. These training sorties were designed to prepare the Ukrainian and Polish Air Forces to defend their airspace during EUROCup 2012, one of  the single largest sporting events in all of Europe to be held just a few miles from Mirgorod in Kiev, the capital.

During the exercise our pilots flew with MiG-29, SU-27, and Polish F-16 fighter jets. This great combination of legendary aircraft was spectacular to watch. As the ramp rumbled with the power of turbine engines and the raw thrust of the Soviet made MiG-29 echoed all around, I realized how lucky I was to be here at this moment in time. I was among the first Airmen to stand ten feet from what used to be our enemy, but was now our ally in providing air defense.

Being able to see these aircraft take off together and fly missions was amazing. These pilots trained for many years to fight against each other, but were now coming together to share their knowledge to achieve a common goal. I watched one of our pilots light-up as he strapped in a MiG-29 knowing he was going to share in the linage of this great military flying force, not as an enemy, but as a guest on a guided tour of the Ukrainian country side, flying in what was once an adversarial aircraft. I turned my head 60 degrees to the left and watched the Mirgorod Air Base Wing Commander strap in an F-16 with Alabama proudly painted on its red tail…the Mirgorod Air Base Commander flying in our Tuskegee bird! I was so proud to be part of that historical moment.

Minutes later a four ship of F-16s and MiG-29s crackled through the airspace above the runway, peeling off one at a time, precisely as if they had trained together for years. Watching these aircraft was an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; how much the world has changed in just one generation. I am super excited to see what becomes of our time spent here during Safe Skies 2011.

Witnessing this fantastic air show from the runway, I was blown away by the power of these aircraft. It proved that these fighters, despite their age, are extremely capable and any force flying them would make a supreme ally.

I believe most people think that special operations forces never interact with the media.  That is, of course, until something bad happens, forcing someone to explain the situation in an ambiguous manner.

I have actually been that “someone” and can tell you that in fact; there is more to it than simply saying “NO” to the media or explaining the situation away in a stream of vagaries.  Sure, there are some aspects of special operations that cannot be publicly released, and responses that effectively explain why certain details cannot be released are important to convey.

But more often than not, we within special operations must make it a point to engage with the media to be successful in today’s 21^st century battle of ideas.  In fact, we must do it often and long before crises emerge, not just occasionally or WHEN crises arise.  Doing so develops rapport with individual media members, and more importantly, with the public as a whole.

A Polish special operations officer explains the importance of detailed planning within the CJSOTF operations center to a group of Polish national media during Exercise Jackal Stone's Media Day, Sept. 20, 2010. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric J. Glassey)

It’s about putting money into what I call “the trust bank.”  By communicating often with others, special operations forces build trust amongst the public (making deposits into the “trust bank”) so that when something goes wrong – and something will inevitably always go wrong at some point – the public maintains their faith in the special operations community.  But if there are no assets in the “trust bank,” the public will turn on the community.  Of course, there will always be those who will support the military in general and special operations forces specifically, and there are those who will never support either, but both are minority populations.  It’s those in the middle that we must address.

This is all easier said than done though.  Special operations forces are often the best in their specific fields and are laser focused on accomplishing whatever mission they are assigned, many of which are highly classified. Additionally, the community is composed of men and women who do not seek the limelight; they actually avoid public credit.  So, the special operations culture is inherently averse to what may be misconstrued as boasting.

Additionally, some, because they have endured extremely difficult situations by mitigating all risk, also believe that there is no value to engaging with the media unless they can strictly control the outcome or unless there is direct and immediate benefit associated.  I believe both anti-engagement arguments are misguided, primarily for the reason described above (the “trust bank” reason).  That’s why, in part, during Exercise Jackal Stone, the annual multi-national special operations exercise coordinated by U.S. Special Operations Command Europe and hosted this year by Poland and Lithuania, media were invited to the exercise.

From left to right, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Anne E. Derse, Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Rasa Jukneviciene, Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite, and Lithuanian Chief of Defense Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius visit the Dragunu Batalionas, where they are briefed on the Jackal Stone 2010 exercise in Klaipeda, Lithuania. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Christopher A. Calvert)

Sept. 20 in Poland and Sept. 21 in Lithuania served as the Jackal Stone 2010 Media Days.  In Poland, media were first given a tour of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF – pronounced See-Jah-So-Tif) Operations Center so they could understand the importance of operational “enablers.”  They were then shown a Polish-led multi-national task unit in action, so they could better understand the tactical aspects of special operations.

In Lithuania, media were shown static displays of special operations equipment and afterward, in both countries, a press conference followed. Key political leaders (Polish Minister of Defense Bogdan Klich and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė in their respective countries) attended the events and answered questions about the exercise and its importance to them, thereby placing “funds” into the SOF “trust bank” and creating a climate of engagement.

Of course, Jackal Stone’s Media Days were not the beginning nor were they the end of special operations media engagement.  Perhaps, it could be argued, they were not enough, but they did serve as another step in the right direction.

The days of 100% secrecy are long past.  We must embrace the new environment or lose credibility in the eyes of those we serve.  As long as the special operations community continues to open up, when possible, to tell the story about what we do and why it is important, the “trust bank’s” assets will grow, and special operations forces will be more effective in their ability to accomplish any mission.

MAJ Jim Gregory
SOCEUR PAO

During the past week of LOGEX 10, I’ve had the distinct honor to serve among and work with some of the best people in the multinational logistics community. I was impressed by the professionalism and competence of our friends in US Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) J7, Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and our NATO Allies and partners. These characteristics truly show during events such as this and I am proud to be associated with the exercise and everyone here.

It’s been a busy week as my official -- yet, unofficial title as Chief of real life support for LOGEX 10. My time is not my own, of course, and I am constantly tending to the myriad of tasks that make the exercise run or coordinating the support for the next sequence of events.

Participants from Hungary discuss exercise tasks during LOGEX 10

The level of attention given to this exercise by our primary participants is spectacular and the training audience is fully engaged each and every day with 30-40 Main Event List or Main Incident List injects or MEL/MILs. These are NATO terms for what’s normally called the Master Event Scenario List (MESL). The test for the training audience is to access their functional knowledge of NATO doctrine as they officially respond to these MEL/MILs. Did their actions follow NATO doctrine and were the correct reports submitted on time and to the right agency? These are just some of the checks the Exercise Control Group uses to evaluate the training audience throughout the course of the exercise. Some days are easier than others, but each day is targeted towards a specific training objective and designed to address a full spectrum of logistics operations.

Today marks the successful conclusion of our Distinguished Visitor’s Day Events. All in all, there were 23 Senior National Leaders from 13 nations present during DV Day to include Vice Admiral Kavaldzhiev, Deputy CHOD, Bulgaria, as well as Captain Dennis Mikeska, USJFCOM Chief, Joint Exercises Division and BG Barbara Faulkenberry, Deputy Director Logistics, USAFRICOM.

Rear Admiral Brown, Director EUCOM J4 with Senior National Logistics Leaders from 12 NATO and Partnership for Peace nations

Guests were welcomed by Colonel Mark Baines, Commandant NATO School who gave a brief overview of the charter of the NATO School and its illustrious history. The Czech Republic presented a lecture on their initiative with the Multinational Logistics Coordination Center and Montenegro discussed the Adriatic Five Maintenance Status and initiatives. These topics provided the backdrop for an open discussion regarding LOGEX 10 achievements and lessons learned, as well as potential sources of future logistics engagements. Rear Admiral William Brown, Director, EUCOM J4 expressed a desire to move forward in FY11 with logistics engagements and continue to develop and share in our national logistics capabilities. The DVs were then escorted to the training areas to observe the functions and operations of the exercise.

As the exercise draws to a conclusion, I find myself focused on capturing the lessons learned in the Post Exercise Discussion (PXD), which will take place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in late October. At that point, we will review the Exercise Summary Report and re-engage National Leaders on the lessons learned from the LOGEX 10 series.

I would be remiss if I did not give a special thanks to the NATO School for their outstanding support during this exercise. Without them, the exercise would not have happened. The entire staff here is the best anyone could wish for and I couldn’t have assembled a better team if I tried. I am also grateful to the NATO School Protocol Office for their assistance in making the difficult seem easy. Thank you all for your help and hospitality. Thanks also to EUCOM’s MSgt Mike Brackett who helped keep me on track with supporting the exercise and the USJFCOM team for their friendship and tremendous effort it took to assemble the Program of Instruction for this exercise.

This concludes my blog on the LOGEX 10 series. LOGEX 11 will be hosted by Ukraine and Georgia and promises to be another exciting year.

As for my LOGEX 10 readers… thanks for your interest in multinational logistics and I’ll see you on the high ground.

LOGEX 10 Participants and Observers. Senior National Representatives (seated left to right): Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, JFCOM Exercise Director, EUCOM Lead Planner (me), Poland and Romania

MAJ Matt Williams
US European Command J4

Last week I completed my sixth trip to Afghanistan since becoming SACEUR. As always, I was struck by the challenges we face – corruption, ANSF attrition, and IEDs to name a few. More importantly, however, I am encouraged by the progress I saw during my visit and am more convinced than ever than we can succeed in Afghanistan.  

Talking with French troops during a visit to Forward Operating Base Morales-Frazier, Afghanistan

I spent the bulk of my time visiting NATO forces in Regional Command East. In this region, one size does not fit all. The provinces vary significantly in many ways – enemy, terrain, economy, ethnicity, etc. Effective counterinsurgency requires experienced, well-trained leaders and forces that can think their way through complex situations and find just the right combination of programs and actions to stabilize the area. I was uniformly impressed by the quality of the comprehensive counterinsurgency operations our forces were executing.  

Task Force Lafayette, our French Battlegroup, operates to the northeast of Kabul in Kapisa Province. This fine unit has mastered the art of partnering and mentoring the ANSF. OMLTs and POMLTs operate throughout the province training and operating with their Afghan colleagues. As a result, the confidence, competence, and capabilities of their partner units are improving.  

Southwest of Kabul in Ghazni Province, Task Force White Eagle, our Polish Battlegroup is in a difficult fight with a determined enemy. In situations like this it is easy to default strictly to kinetic operations. Despite the challenge of a very dangerous enemy, Task Force White Eagle continues to take an integrated civilian military approach to stabilizing and developing Ghazni Province.  

Meeting the Polish commander at Forward Operating Base Ghazni

Overwhelmingly, I was struck by the quality of our servicemen and women. Both the French and the Polish Troops represented their nations and NATO in a superb fashion. I was delighted by the Afghan Forces I visited with, as well.  

I met with the faculty of Afghanistan’s National Military Academy. The graduating class of 2009 was 84 students, and the class of 2010 was 212. These are great numbers, but more encouraging is the fact that there are more than 3000 applicants for 650 available seats in the class of 2014.  

On a tour in the National Military Afghan Academy, talking to Afghan Commando Soldiers.

While at the academy, I was honored to meet with the ANA Commandos, an elite unit that maintains an impressive 100% retention rate. These great Soldiers, along with other SOF elements, have an enormous operational tempo. In the last 90 days, they executed 4000 precision operations taking the most dangerous enemy leaders off the battlefield. With such high standards and phenomenal retention rates, this unit is producing leaders that will help move the ANA forward for years to come.  

Undoubtedly, there are many challenges facing us in Afghanistan. The great news is that NATO and Afghan National Security Forces are meeting these challenges head on.  

Adm. James Stavridis
Commander, U.S. European Command and
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

I’m finally back home after nearly two weeks on the road and it has been more than a week now since I jumped into Iron Mike Drop Zone in Normandy, France to commemorate the 66^th Anniversary of D-Day.  I’ll never forget the experience –  not just because of the historic significance, but also because of those that jumped with me that day.  As you probably well know, British, Canadian and American forces jumped to secure the Allied flanks on D-Day, but personnel from Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Poland also took part in the landings.  On D-Day 66, I hit the ground, collected my parachute, and then walked off the drop zone with British, French, Polish, Dutch, German and fellow Americans paratroopers surrounding me.  On my aircraft alone, we had Dutch, German and Polish paratroopers and I earned both the Dutch and Polish jump wings that day.  
  

German and Polish paratroopers sit amongst SOCEUR Soldiers on the aircraft prior to jumping onto Iron Mike DZ in Normandy, France, June 5, 2010.

Whoa!  Come again you say?  Tucked in that list was…German paratroopers?  Yep, they jumped with us!  It goes to show how far we’ve come that we can jump with those who 66 years ago would have been shooting at us as we descended from the sky.  Why were they there?  Well, one of their special operations officers explains it best here during an interview with LCDR Taylor Clark of the EUCOM Public Affairs Office.

Immediately upon my return from the D-Day anniversary, I headed straight to Krakow, Poland to prepare for the upcoming Jackal Stone 2010 exercise. Jackal Stone is a multi-nation partnership building exercise designed to build Special Operations Forces’ capacity.  While there, I really was able to appreciate the significance of the camaraderie built during events such as the D-Day anniversary jump as I met up with one of the Polish jumpers I had exchanged wings with in Normandy. 

British, French, Polish, Dutch, German and American paratroopers float to the ground during the 66th D-Day Anniversary jump onto Iron Mike DZ, June 5, 2010.

As we worked at Polish Special Operations Command Headquarters with special operations leaders from Poland, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, and the Ukraine, we talked about jump-day memories and the relationships we built in Normandy.  It transcended beyond just the U.S.-Polish bonds and was a precursor to the relationships we will strengthen when we all gather in Poland and Lithuania this upcoming September.

It all goes back to why we (U.S. forces) are here in Europe – so that we can cooperate better with our partners and allies.  I wrote about it previously here, but it is so cool to see it in action.  Common experiences bind us together like nothing else, and in times of crisis, it is these common experiences that will pay immeasurable dividends.  

MAJ Jim Gregory
SOCEUR PAO

Official portrait of GEN Franciszek Gagor, Chief of Defense of the Polish Armed Forces.

I'm flying over the deep blue of the southern Pacific Ocean -- enroute to New Zealand and Australia for security discussions about Afghanistan -- and I've just learned of the death of Polish General and Chief of Defense Franciszek Gagor, along with the President of Poland and much of the senior leadership.

As I look down over the white caps of the sea, I think of my friend and the sudden nature of his death in a plane crash enroute to a memorial gathering near Smolensk, Russia in remembrance of 70th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre. What a tragic loss for his family, for Poland, and for the cause of security in the world.

Franciszek lived a full and meaningful life, and all of us at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe mourn his loss. He was not only a leader in his nation's military, but also a strong and highly respected voice in the councils of NATO.

I am greeted to Warsaw by the Polish Chairman of Defense General Franciszek Gagor in December of 2009.

He spoke fluent and idiomatic English, along with French and Russian and his native Polish of course. General Gagor was a powerful thinker, a diplomatic statesman, and a superb military leader. He had attended the National Defense University in the U.S. and we often spoke of the vital importance of education for our senior officers. He published many thoughtful
articles and a well regarded book on peacekeeping operations, in which he was widely respexcted as an expert.

Franciszek led much of the preparations for Poland's entry into NATO, and had served as a General officer since being promoted to Brigadier back in 1997. He was among the senior Chief's of Defense in the Alliance, and when he spoke in council, everyone listened closely.

Laura and I had a lovely visit with him and his wife Lucy just a few months ago in Warsaw, a week or so before Christmas. We walked the streets of the restored city, and his sense of history and the irony of it all was clear and deep. I'll always remember a light snow falling and thinking how lucky I was to know him -- a man of conviction, intelligence, and blessed with a fine sense of humor.

General Franciszek Gagor, Chairman of Defense of Poland, and I conduct a press conference in Warsaw.

The next day, we drank Bison vodka and sat in front of a fireplace after a formal dinner and he reflected on the passages of his life and career, from the post-war history of his beloved Poland to the Warsaw Pact and on to his role today as a leader in NATO. Personally, I deeply valued his advice on topics ranging from Afghanistan to the Balkans to NATO reform and the emerging strategic concept.

Franciszek Gagor represented the best of our senior military, and above my fireplace at home is the Polish cavalry sabre he gave me during our visit. I'll treasure it, as I do the memories of this great friend.

Admiral James Stavridis
Commander, U.S. European Command and
Supreme Allied Commander Europe

It is no secret that EUCOM remains committed to enduring partnerships and increased interoperability with NATO.... look at any Directors calendar and you'll probably notice how busy we all are towards that commitment.  This year marks the third EUCOM-led logistics exercise, which is a Command Post Exercise (CPX) that is based on NATO doctrine which uses a multinational approach in supporting deployed forces in NATO-led out of area operations, and easily follows EUCOM's them of "Stronger Together."   

Anticipation and excitement are growing as efforts are in full swing now for LOGEX 10 that will be conducted September 6-17, 2010, at Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base, Romania.  I am pleasantly surprised to see that this year's exercise has grown from three nations last year to five nations this year, and include participants from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic.  In fact, interest is also peaking for observer nations who also recognize the importance and strategic value of conducting multinational operations.  Since the Initial Planning Conference in September 2009, we have doubled our list of observer nations and I receive calls every so often from other Nations asking how they can become involved or contribute.  I'm already looking forward to the partnership opportunities in LOGEX 11 with Ukraine and Georgia.   

Participants at the LOGEX 2010 Mid Planning Conference in Sophia, Bulgaria.

As part of the LOGEX 10 Series, our good friends in Bulgaria hosted the Mid Planning Conference (MPC) in Sofia February 22-26 with a small contingent of representatives from the five nations above.  Attendees discussed the details of execution in September and came to new agreements that were codified in a newly signed Exercise Specification  (EXSPEC) Document. I've quickly learned that if a single detail or requirement is not captured in the EXSPEC, it won't happen without a lot of extra coordination.  As an added feature, the MPC also included the Main Event List / Main Incident List (MEL/MIL) Development Workshop.  For the non LOGEX-series enthusiasts, this is equates to Master Event Scenario List (MESL) development/scripting as used in U.S. exercise planning control groups.  The next series of events will consists of independent country workshops designed to develop the logistics and transportation annexes of the NATO Operational Plan (OPLAN) that will be used to conduct the exercise. 

By all accounts, the MPC was a great success and everyone worked hard to include each and every detail possible....but time will tell, however there is much, much more to accomplish because we have eight more events to conduct prior to execution.  My special thanks to LTC Chavdar Ivanov and his team from the Bulgarian MOD for hosting the MPC, and coordinating the multitude of events that took place during the week.  As we move forward in the LOGEX series and continue to share ideas and experiences, it will become evident that the more we work together... the stronger together we become.  

See you at the workshops.

MAJ Matt Williams
U.S. European Command Logistics

In March I hosted senior military, business and community leaders from Germany and France aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) aircraft carrier as it made its way through the Mediterranean Sea.

Today, I have the opportunity to escort military and community leaders from Poland and Germany aboard the “Ike” and I can’t think of a better platform to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to building partnerships here in Europe. It’s my sincere hope that our guests walk away with a greater appreciation and understanding of that commitment.

The importance of these visits rests on my shoulders as I continue to encourage partnerships and build friendships within the theater. The United States’ commitment to promote continued peace and stability throughout Europe is a role I don’t take lightly.

As NATO members, Germany and Poland play key roles in global anti-terrorism efforts. And the efforts by these two nations – and all nations within the European Command’s area of focus – to strengthen their commitments as strategic partners is testimony for long lasting stability in Europe.

VADM Dick Gallagher
Deputy Commander
U.S. European Command

Cold, rainy March, near midnight. Hanging out the window of a Warsaw hotel, not many months after the fall of the Berlin Wall, photographing the grim, gray hulk of the Soviet Embassy, thinking "Wow, I can't believe I'm doing this! A few months ago I would have been shot for this."

Nope, not a CIA guy, not a DIA guy, not even an intel type. Just an Illinois Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel newly arrived to brief the Polish General Staff, on a traveling contact team mission. What an exciting time.

First time in a former Warsaw Pact country. The entire time I was there I kept thinking this couldn't have happened just a short time ago and I can't believe I'm doing this.

Today, I'm the TAG for Illinois (commanding general of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard for those of you not familiar with National Guard-speak) and at the EUCOM State Partnership Conference in Stuttgart.

Since August 2007 I've been to Poland six times, have met Nobel Peace prize winner and former Polish President Lech Walesa, flown on a Polish Hind helicopter and hosted Polish Generals on a Blackhawk over Soldier Field in Chicago. Still an exciting time. Still can't believe I'm doing this.

In those intervening years, Polish soldiers and Illinois National Guardsmen have fought together, led together in Iraq and Afghanistan. Have kept the peace together in Kosovo and have worked together to bring Poland into NATO as a full partner and ally. It's been a wild ride. I'm still hanging on. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Major General William Enyart
Commanding General of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard
TAG (The Adjutant General)

It was a cold and snowy day at Powidz Air Base, but the spirits of all those who turned out to welcome the arrival of the mighty Hercules to Poland were high. With the dense cloud cover, we could hear the engines of the C-130 and its 2-ship F-16 escort before we could see them, but all looked skyward as the Herc flew over the assembled crowd.

The first Polish C-130E Hercules arrived at Powidz Air Base on 24 March 2009. In my role in the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, I serve as the in-country program coordinator; linking the many people in the U.S. who make this program a reality with their Polish counterparts.  (more)