House Panel Questions Pentagon Decision to Cancel Troop Deployment to Poland

Lawmakers questioned Army Secretary and the acting Chief of Staff at a House Armed Services Committee hearing Friday over the Pentagon's decision to cancel the routine deployment of the Fort Hood, Texas-based 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division to Poland.

The brigade had conducted a casing of colors ceremony on May 4 in preparation for the now-canceled nine-month mission. Officials at the hearing could not provide an exact reason for the cancellation.

Polish officials told a committee member they were blindsided by the move. Poland's Defense Minister said the country continues to be the most stable American ally in Europe. The deputy defense minister told a Polish television outlet that he does not expect a continued reduction in U.S. troops in Poland and that assurances had been received that the Americans do not plan to systematically reduce the U.S. presence there.

President Trump expressed openness earlier this month to expanding the U.S. military presence in Poland after announcing plans to withdraw 5,000 American soldiers from Germany. The comments came after Germany had been critical of the Iran war. The Pentagon declined to provide additional information about the decision, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A Pentagon spokesman appeared to push back on testimony from the acting Chief of Staff. The acting Chief of Staff suggested the final decision was made recently but could not explain exactly why it was made.