US stops Poland troop deployment after Germany pullout order

"General Christopher LaNeve, the acting chief of staff of the US Army, said the head of US European Command “received the instructions on the force reduction.” LaNeve, who was testifying before the US House Armed Services Committee, said “it made the most sense for that brigade to not do its deployment in theater” but did not give much rationale for the decision."

"Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll was also at the House hearing, and said the deployment was halted “a couple days ago.” Joe Courtney, a Democratic lawmaker from Connecticut who sits on the committee, said the move conveys a “horrible message” and added that allies “are paying attention.”"

"Mike Rogers, a Republican congressman from Alabama who is the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, said, “We don't know what is going on here, but I can tell you, we're not happy with what's being talked about, particularly since there's been no statutory consultation with us.” Don Bacon, a Republican congressman from Nebraska, said Polish officials were “blindsided” by the move. He called the decision “reprehensible” and called it “an embarassment to our country what we just did to Poland.”"

"Pentagon spokesperson Joel Valdez said the “decision to withdraw troops follows a comprehensive, multilayered process” and added it was “not an unexpected, l”"

The Pentagon halted deployment of 4,000 troops from the Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team to Poland. US Army acting chief of staff General Christopher LaNeve said US European Command received instructions on the force reduction and that it made the most sense for the brigade not to deploy, without providing detailed rationale. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll said the halt occurred a couple days earlier. Lawmakers criticized the decision for sending a “horrible message,” lacking statutory consultation, and blindsiding Polish officials. A Pentagon spokesperson said the withdrawal followed a comprehensive, multilayered process and was not unexpected.

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