Photo By Brian Lamar | Brig. Gen. John Stanley, deputy commanding general for the 21st Theater Support...... read more read more
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By Brian Lamar, 21st TSC Public Affairs
POWIDZ, Poland – Brig. Gen. John Stanley, deputy commanding general for the 21st Theater Support Command, and Maj. Gen. Dariusz Mendrala, inspectorate general for Polish Armed Forces Support officially opened a 1.5-million-gallon bulk fuel storage facility in Powidz during a ribbon cutting ceremony, Sept. 25.
The ribbon cutting commemorated a key milestone in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the United States and Poland, part of an expanding network of military infrastructure designed to bolster readiness for U.S., Polish, and NATO forces in the region. The new facility will enable U.S. and Polish Soldiers to rapidly process, stage, and project combat power.
“This is the first and largest of three bulk fuel storage facilities in the Polish Provided Logistics System spelled out in the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the U.S. and Poland,” Stanley said. “This is also the farthest eastward of the planned facilities. It will significantly increase flexibility of refueling options for sustainment personnel to provide combatant commanders with more efficient and timely refueling capabilities.”
Stanley also highlighted how the facility directly improves operational efficiency.
“The opening of this facility here on Powidz reduces our refuel supply lines by around 500 kilometers and reduces refueling timelines by multiple days. This also increases efficiencies by reducing cross-border paperwork delays and reducing the amount troops and hours driving in convoys on highways to deliver fuel,” he said.
Mendrala highlighted Poland’s growing interest in national defense.
“Our country has started an ambitious program of permanent modernization and the development of the Polish Armed Forces,” said Mendrala. “Today, we spend almost five percent of the gross domestic product on defense.”
According to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Larry Lyons, senior petroleum and water advisor for the 21st TSC, the EDCA outlines 19 facilities planned across Poland, each designed to strengthen modernization, readiness, and bilateral interoperability. The Powidz Bulk Fuel Facility is a major boost in the fuel sustainment piece that will give combatant commanders more options in peace or wartime environments.
Following the ribbon-cutting, senior leaders from both nations toured the Powidz military installation and shared a lunch to celebrate their continued partnership.
“From the U.S. perspective, this is a huge partnership for us. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement has resulted in great things. Of course, this being one of the biggest facilities that we built today out of three planned only improves our planning and preparedness. We appreciate the long-standing partnership with Poland’s Armed Forces and this ribbon cutting is just a symbol of dedication to that partnership,” said Stanley.
According to the U.S. Department of State, roughly 10,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Poland. This increased American presence follows the signing of the EDCA on Aug. 15, 2020, which strengthened the permanent U.S. footprint in the country.
The EDCA’s primary goal is to create the conditions for defense capability development, defense planning, and joint military training. It defines three main areas of effort to improve Poland’s security, including infrastructure expansion and logistical support for U.S. troops stationed on Polish soil.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2025 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 549405 |
| Location: | POWIDZ, PL |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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