Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Tod D. Wolters participated in an official honour guard presentation alongside General Andrzejczak, welcoming the Polish general to the headquarters. A meeting between the two generals followed.

Also during his visit, General Andrzejczak joined a round table discussion hosted by Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) General Sir James Everard and SHAPE leadership. Discussions included operationalization of the NATO Military Strategy, the NATO Readiness Initiative (NRI)and enablement of SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility.

The NRI is an Allied agreement made on June 7, 2018, committing Allies, by 2020, to have 30 battalions, 30 air squadrons, and 30 naval combat vessels ready to use within 30 days. The initiative aims to enhance the readiness of existing national forces and their ability to move within Europe and across the Atlantic—in response to a more unpredictable security environment. 

The new Military Strategy was signed during a NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session on May 22, 2019. The adaption improves the Alliance preparedness and approach for the increasingly complex security challenges that NATO faces.

Poland has been a long contributing member to the Alliance, joining in 1999. The Ally has increased collective defense capabilities; participated in Alliance operations and missions; invested in Poland-based, NATO-related structures; and played an active role in NATO’s Air Early Warning and Control Force. They stood up the Multinational Corps Northeast, the NATO Force Integration Unit in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and volunteered as a framework country for land-based forces of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in 2020. Allies also conduct regular training and exercises in Poland and NATO has a strong deterrent presence in the region. Poland has taken part in 14 missions and Allied operations.

General Andrzejczak has been in his position since July 2, 2018. He served in Iraq and commanded in Afghanistan.