U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District contractor crews make rail improvements in Swietoszow, Poland, on May 21, 2025. The 510th Regional Support Group has received $11.7 million to fund base infrastructure improvements supporting U.S. rotational forces across Poland and the Baltic states. (Hannah Mitchell/U.S. Army)
POZNAN, Poland — An Army Reserve unit has received $11.7 million to fund infrastructure improvements at bases supporting U.S. rotational forces across Poland and the Baltic states.
The funding will mainly go toward expansion of billeting and lodging, improvement of motor pool maintenance areas and upgrades to security in support of Base Operations Support–Integration, or BOS-I.
The 510th Regional Support Group manages contracts, logistics and base support functions at several forward operating sites in the region.
Its responsibilities include infrastructure maintenance, utilities management, host-nation coordination and services supporting soldiers’ health and welfare.
“The BOS-I responsibility means making sure the base runs and functions the way it’s supposed to so tactical commanders can focus on their mission,” said Maj. George Harrivel, the group engineer. “That includes things like water, life support, housing and maintenance facilities that support the tactical units.”
Project locations will include the Bemowo Piskie and Deba training areas in Poland as well as locations in Latvia and Estonia, such as Adazi, Lielvarde, Tapa and Roodu.
Harrivel said the goal is to ensure that incoming units arrive at what planners describe as “turnkey” facilities.
“They will be able to step in and immediately begin operations,” he said. “Ideally, we want anyone who’s moving to basically walk in, get the keys to the house, unlock it and use it.”
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District project engineers discuss ongoing military construction projects at Camp Kosciuszko, Poland, on May 19, 2025. The 510th Regional Support Group will spearhead a $11.7 million effort to upgrade base facilities across Poland and the Baltic states. (Christopher Gardner/U.S. Army)
For over a decade, the Army has been building up its presence along NATO’s eastern flank, with countries like Poland and the Baltic states serving as the center of gravity for operations aimed at deterring Russian aggression.
The service has relied heavily on rotational forces to achieve those aims.
While several projects focus on improving life support areas for soldiers, another effort includes upgrading motor pool infrastructure to support the heavy equipment brought by U.S. units.
“We want to make sure that when these units show up with their vehicles — whether they’re fuelers, rolling stock or tanks — the ground can support those vehicles the way it needs to,” Harrivel said. “That way, we’re not damaging host-nation property or infrastructure.”
While some improvements are tied to new projects, others involve working with host-nation partners to expand existing facilities.
In Latvia, for example, a life-support project at Lielvarde Air Base is being led in part by Latvian partners, with the U.S. providing design input to ensure that facilities meet standards set by U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Forward operating sites vary widely in population size, development and mission requirements, according to Col. Daniel Meyers, commander of the 510th Regional Support Group.
While each location is designed to meet basic needs, soldiers stationed at larger sites increasingly expect modern necessities alongside the typical facilities.
“Soldier expectations for quality of life have evolved,” Meyers said. “The demand for traditional amenities like gyms and dining facilities remains, but there is now a significant need for modern connectivity such as Wi-Fi so soldiers can stay connected with family and friends.”
