Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby introduced the deployment of U.S. troops to Europe to exchange forces ordered there earlier this 12 months.
Kirby stated Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered the deployment of round 10,500 personnel within the coming months to exchange Army items ordered to the area prematurely of, and within the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kirby pressured that these forces will not be going to Ukraine, however are there to make sure the protection of NATO nations.
“These deployments are a one-for-one unit replacements, which leaves our general power posture within the area – roughly 100,000 — unchanged,” he stated at a Pentagon information convention. “The items being changed will return to their house stations following a correct turnover of tasks.”
The one hundred and first Airborne Division Headquarters, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will exchange the 82nd Airborne Division Headquarters within the European Command space of duty. This can contain 500 troopers.
Additionally from Fort Campbell, the 2nd Infantry Brigade Fight Crew of the one hundred and first Airborne Division will deploy roughly 4,200 troopers to exchange the third Infantry Brigade Fight Crew of Fort Bragg, North Carolina’s 82nd Airborne Division in Poland.
As well as, the third Armored Brigade Fight Crew of the first Cavalry Division, based mostly at Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy roughly 4,200 troopers to exchange the first Armored Brigade, third Infantry Division in Germany.
Lastly, the first Armored Division Fight Aviation Brigade consisting of roughly 1,800 service members from Fort Bliss, Texas, will exchange the first Air Cavalry Brigade to help the US’ dedication to Atlantic Resolve.
These will not be everlasting strikes, Kirby stated. “They’re strikes designed to answer the present safety atmosphere,” he stated.
The Ukrainians proceed to withstand the Russian invaders within the Donbas area — Russia’s main push within the area now. “They’ve prevented the Russians from attaining nearly any of their strategic targets so far within the warfare,” Kirby stated. “Now, either side have taken casualties. Each side have misplaced capabilities, whether or not that is precise {hardware} or defensive techniques. That is why we’re attempting so laborious to ensure that Ukraine continues to have obtainable to it, the supplies, the techniques, the weapons to proceed to defend themselves.”
The Ukrainian navy is holding its personal in opposition to the Russian power. There are roughly 105 Russian battalion tactical teams in Ukraine in the present day. However the Ukrainians “completely are mounting a stiff and an efficient resistance to the Russians,” Kirby stated.
Anecdotal proof suggests the Russian navy is having morale issues. A senior protection official talking on background stated there are stories of some Russian items refusing to enter battle. “They aren’t obeying orders or failing to combat as laborious as ordered or anticipated,'” the official stated.
This seems to have began with line troopers, however has unfold to the officer ranks, the official stated. “I do know it is anecdotal, however it’s per the sorts of unit cohesion and morale issues we have seen prior to now,” the official stated.
