{"id":36104,"date":"2018-11-15T14:18:59","date_gmt":"2018-11-15T14:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/11\/15\/mattis-polish-leaders-talk-possibility-of-fort-trump\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:12:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:12:43","slug":"mattis-polish-leaders-talk-possibility-of-fort-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2018\/11\/15\/mattis-polish-leaders-talk-possibility-of-fort-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"Mattis, Polish leaders talk possibility of \u2018Fort Trump\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The possibility of a permanent U.S. military base in Poland <\/a>moved a few steps forward this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis<\/a> met with his Polish counterpart Mariusz Blaszczak Tuesday to discuss Poland\u2019s offer to spend $2 billion on a permanent base for U.S. troops and their families in the country. The base was jokingly called \u201cFort Trump<\/a>\u201d by Poland\u2019s president after meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are working out the details on what the offer is, what can best contribute to alliance unity, to alliance security and to the continued strengthening of the bilateral relationship,\u201d Mattis told<\/a> the press prior to his talks with Blaszczak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mattis also praised the Polish government for meeting NATO\u2019s defense spending commitments<\/a> prior to heading into discussions with other Pentagon officials to discuss the potential base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s obviously something we\u2019ll discuss with all of the allies as well,\u201d Mattis added. \u201cWe have a very strong bilateral relationship with the Polish military, and the minister and the ministry of defense, and we\u2019ll further discuss it when we\u2019re in Brussels with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An F-22 Raptor from the 95th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Wing, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., participates in a multi-aircraft flyover in Warsaw, Poland during the 100th Anniversary of Polish Independence and Armed Forces Day. (SA Joshua Magbanua\/U.S. Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The details of Poland\u2019s offer are still being worked out, Mattis said. He noted that officials are looking at what can best contribute to the NATO alliance\u2019s unity and security, not just the U.S.-Poland bilateral relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe strongly appreciate the U.S. forces’ presence in Poland, strengthening deterrence and defense of Poland and the whole NATO alliance,” Blaszczak said after meeting with Mattis. “I hope it will transform in the coming years into an even more robust and long-term commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump showed interest in the idea of a permanent U.S. base in September, particularly because of Poland\u2019s financial contribution to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPoland is willing to make a very major contribution to the United States to come in and have a presence in Poland,\u201d Trump told reporters at the White House after he met with Polish President Andrzej Duda. “If they\u2019re willing to do that, it\u2019s something we will certainly talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t