Stryker Squadron, F-35 Strike Fighters, Attack Helicopters Repositioned on Ukraine Border as Putin “Invades?”
Biden Shifts U.S. Troops in Europe to Defend Frontline NATO States as Putin “Invades? ”
FEB. 22, 2022 | BY JIM GARAMONE,
President Joe Biden ordered U.S. troops already based in Europe to shore up the defenses of nations bordering Ukraine.
Biden directed Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III to move forces within the U.S. European Command’s area of operations to the Baltic Republics, Poland and Ukraine’s southeastern flank.
The forces will move within a week, DOD officials said.
The deployment follows Russia’s renewed invasion of eastern Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mobilization of forces all along the borders of Ukraine.
Austin has ordered an infantry battalion task force of about 800 soldiers to deploy from Italy to the Baltic region. He also approved the movement of up to eight F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Germany to operating locations on NATO‘s eastern flank.
Twenty AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will also deploy from Germany to the Baltic region and 12 Apache helicopters will move from Greece to Poland.
“These additional personnel are being repositioned to reassure our NATO allies, deter any potential aggression against NATO member states, and train with host-nation forces,” DOD officials said in a written statement. All forces are under the command of Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command.
Officials said the moves are temporary.
These moves are the latest in a series designed to reassure the frontline states. The United States sent 1,000 soldiers from a Stryker squadron from Germany to Romania. An 82nd Airborne Division infantry brigade combat team will be deployed to Poland from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Company-sized Stryker units will deploy to Hungary and Bulgaria.
In addition, Austin ordered 8,500 service members to a heightened state of readiness should NATO activate its Rapid Reaction Force.
Overall, there are about 90,000 U.S. service members based in Europe.
Details:
At the President’s direction and following Secretary Austin’s recommendation, the Department of Defense will reposition certain Europe-based units further east, forward deploy additional U.S.- based units to Europe, and maintain the heightened state of readiness of response forces to meet these commitments. These forces are not going to fight in Ukraine. They are not permanent moves. They respond to current conditions. We will adjust our posture as those conditions evolve, and we will continue to consult closely with NATO Allies to ensure an appropriate collective posture of deterrence and defense. We welcome the announcements by other Allies – including France, Germany, Spain, UK, the Netherlands, and Denmark – of their consideration to provide additional contributions to enhancing NATO’s posture on the eastern flank.
Stryker Squadron Repositioned from Germany to Romania
As a part of our broader effort to demonstrate our commitment to our NATO Allies and deter Russian aggression, the United States repositioned a Stryker squadron of approximately 1,000 U.S. service members already in the European theater to Romania. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a mounted unit based in Vilseck, Germany, sent a combined arms force equipped with wheeled armored fighting vehicles to deter aggression and enhance our defensive capabilities in Romania during this period of elevated risk.
Stryker Troops to Bulgaria and Hungary to Conduct Training Missions
On Feb. 17, Secretary Austin, in conjunction with the government of Bulgaria, announced a U.S. Army Stryker troop of approximately 125 soldiers will take part in a training mission in Bulgaria. On Feb. 18, U.S. Army Europe-Africa, in conjunction with the government of Hungary, announced a U.S. Army Stryker troop of approximately 125 soldiers will take part in a training mission in Hungary.
Multi-Mission Assure and Deter Forces Deployed to Poland and Germany.
Additionally, the Secretary deployed approximately 5,000 forces from the United States to Europe. These include approximately 4,700 service members of the 82nd Airborne Division and key enablers deployed to Germany. The 82nd Airborne Division deployed components of an Infantry Brigade Combat Team and key enablers to Poland. The 18th Airborne Corps moved a Joint Task Force-capable headquarters to Germany. Collectively, this force is trained and equipped for a variety of missions to deter aggression and to reassure and defend our Allies during this period of elevated risk. We worked closely with our Polish and German Allies to set the stage for these movements, and we appreciate their support.
160 Members of Florida National Guard Repositioned
Secretary Austin ordered the temporary repositioning of the 160 members of the Florida National Guard who have been deployed to Ukraine since late November. These troops, assigned to the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, have been advising and mentoring Ukrainian forces as part of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. They are departing Ukraine and have been repositioned elsewhere in Europe.
Movement of U.S. Forces Currently Stationed in Europe.
Most recently, on February 22, Secretary Austin ordered the additional movement of U.S. forces currently stationed in Europe to continue our support for NATO Allies and the defense of the eastern flank. These forces — comprised of aviation elements and ground forces — will move within the EUCOM Area of Operations to NATO’s northeastern and southeastern flanks.
These forces are comprised of:
• An infantry battalion task force of approximately 800 personnel, from Italy to the Baltic region;
• Movement of up to eight F-35 Strike Fighters, from Germany to several operating locations along NATO’s eastern flank
• A battalion of attack aviation — 20 AH-64 helicopters — from Germany to the Baltic region;
• And an attack aviation task force — 12 AH-64 helicopters – will move from Greece to Poland.