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U.S. Scraps Poland Brigade Rotation as Pentagon Cuts Europe Footprint

The move advances an ordered 5,000‑troop reduction tied to a wider posture review.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz review an honorary guard as they meet in Warsaw, Poland, February 14, 2025. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel/File Photo
BEMOWO PISKIE, POLAND - MAY 06: Soldiers of the U.S. Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade prepare to head out with their vehicles as they participate in the Amber Shock 26 portion of the Saber Strike 26 NATO military exercises on May 06, 2026 near Bemowo Piskie, Poland. The U.S. will possibly withdraw the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Stryker Brigade from its base in Vilseck, Germany, back to the U.S. following an announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump. Approximately 14,000 troops, including thousands of Americans, are participating in Saber Strike 26 in exercises across Poland and Lithuania. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Troops from the US Army stand before they take part in live fire exercises during the multinational DEFENDER Europe 20 military exercises at the Drawsko Pomorskie training grounds on August 11, 2020, at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland.
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Overview

  • The Army’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, which officials confirmed Friday would not rotate to Poland, had already sent advance troops and equipment before the halt.
  • A memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also canceled a long‑range rocket battalion’s upcoming Germany tour and directed a related command to leave Europe.
  • Pentagon leaders describe the shift as part of a 5,000‑troop cut that returns U.S. levels in Europe to around pre‑2022 numbers.
  • Polish officials say the change reflects a broader U.S. realignment rather than a loss of support, while a NATO official says skipping a rotation does not alter the alliance’s defense plans.
  • Lawmakers and allied officials say they were not briefed in advance, raising questions about deterrence, legal troop floors set by Congress, and the confusion for soldiers told to stop travel at the last minute.