NATO Land Forces:Army Begins New Cycle of Deployments to Europe,plus what massive activity NATO is considering

On 7 March 2023 the US Army began unit deployments to Europe under Operation Atlantic Resolve to support European Allies and Partners in light of Russian aggression.The units include about 500 Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum,New York.They will replace Soldiers from 101st Airborne Division Headquarters.Said Major General Gregory K. Andersen,commander,10th Mountain Division:The 10th Mountain Division is proud to be called to serve alongside our Allies.The Mountain Division is no stranger to deployments across the globe.Our formations are trained,ready and prepared.* At the same time,a larger force of around 3800 Soldiers from 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell,Kentucky will replace Soldiers from 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).According to Colonel Kevin Sharp,commander,1st BCT:The Bastogne Brigade is ready to assume the critical mission of assuring our NATO Allies and deterring Russian aggression on NATO's Eastern Flank. Nearly 80 years ago,Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division fought in the Battle of the Bulge and our brigade proudly claims the nickname of Bastogne.Today,we are ready to secure the peace in Europe that was built on the sacrifices of those first Soldiers of the 101st Airborne.* The Army points out that this is not an increase in current force posture levels,and the redeploying units will return to their home stations.* The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) (Screaming Eagles) is a light infantry division capable of executing multiple air assault operations for seizing terrain in austere environments.Its World War II engagements included Operation Overlord (D-Day);Operation Market Garden;and Western Allied Invasion of Germany.It also served in the Vietnam War;the Persian Gulf War;and the Global War on Terrorism (Afghan War,Iraq War,Operation Inherent Resolve and the Somali Civil War). Mission:The 101st provides our Nation an unmatched expeditionary Air Assault capability to conduct forcible entry and other worldwide unified land operations in support of combatant commanders.* Leadership:Eagle 6 is Major General J P McGee and Eagle 7 is Command Sgt.Major Veronica Knapp.* NATO is reportedly considering a massive reinforcement of the European theatre with up to 300,000 more troops.The first 100,000 would go to the Eastern Flank.

Two US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Combat

On 25 June 2019,two US Army troops were killed in action during a combat operation in Uruzgan Province,Afghanistan,the Pentagon announced.They were serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the US counter-terrorism effort in Afghanistan.The Soldiers were killed by small arms fire in a firefight with Taliban militants.
Those killed were MSGT Michael B. Riley,32,of Heilbronn,Germany,and SGT James G. Johnston,24,of Trumansburg,New York.MSGT Riley was on his sixth deployment to Afghanistan.A communications seargent,he was a member of 2nd Battalion,10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).On his first deployment,SGT Johnston was a member of 79th Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal),71st Ordnance Group.
The battle is being investigated.*
These deaths bring the US combat death toll in the Afghan War so far this year up to nine.Last year's toll was 13.*
MSGT Riley had been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal;Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters;Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster;and the Army Good Conduct Medal (3).He was also awarded the Military Freefall Parachutist Badge and Marine Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle.
SGT Johnston had been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal;Purple Heart Medal;Combat Action Badge;and Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.*
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,to give unto them beauty for ashes,the oil of joy for mourning,the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;that they may be called trees of righteousness,planting of the Lord,that he might be glorified."
-Isaiah 61:1-3

Militants Repulse Iraqi Army-but US Navy aircraft help retake dam

Islamic State militants held their position in the Iraqi city of Tikrit against an attempt to recapature it Tuesday by the Iraqi army,Iraqi officers told the Reuters news agency.Tikrit was the hometown of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.The Iraqi forces were checked by heavy fires from mortars and machine guns south of Tikrit,and land mines and snipers west of town.*
Despite the Iraqi effort,the militants continued to patrol the streets of Tikrit,maintaining their dominance.Over the weekend,however,US Navy F/A-18 fighter jets and Predator drones carried out 35 sorties on the militants holding the Mosul Dam area north of Mosul city,striking 90 targets ranging from military vehicles and checkpoints,to firing positions.This air support for Kurdish special operations forces and Iraqi troops resulted in the recapture of the strategically vital dam from the militants,who nonetheless continue to firmly grasp Mosul itself.The dam supplies water and hydroelectric power to a vast portion of the country,including the capital Baghdad.*
Analysts believe that US air power alone cannot defeat the militants,and some US combat troops will eventually be needed to complete the task.It's a view shared by Congressman Peter King,R-NY,member of the House Homeland Security Committee.I don't think we need large amounts,he said.I think by arming the Kurds and by working with the Iraqi army,by having leadership in there,that we can do it,and also massive use of our air power-all of that together,I believe,is sufficient without any large number of ground troops at all.*
There are roughly 1,000 US troops currently serving in Iraq,but they are in support roles such as advising,security and intelligence,rather than offensive combat operations.

Sikorsky/Lockheed Win Marine One Contract

The Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin team has been awarded a 1.24 billion US Navy contract for the next fleet of Marine One presidential helicopters.The contract is to modify,test and deliver an initial order of six Sikorsky S-92 helicopters:two engineering vehicles and four demonstrator aircraft;to be followed by 17 more in three groupings,beginning in 2019.
The process will be run as follows:
1.Build off-the-shelf S-92s,which are currently used for civil search and rescue,executive transport and offshore oil&gas operations,at the Sikorsky plant in Coatesville,Pennsylvania.
2.Modify them for presidential use at the Sikorsky headquarters plant in Stratford,Connecticut.
3.Install advanced communications and mission systems at Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training in Owego,New York.
4.Install the cabin back at Stratford.
We stand ready to deliver the next Marine One,the world's most advanced executive transport helicopter,said Sikorsky president Mark Maurer.The helicopters will transport the President,Vice President and visiting heads of state.In April 2010,Sikorsky teamed with Lockheed Martin to develop a military version of its medium-sized S-92 helicopter.
The project will create or sustain about 200 jobs in Owego,New York,Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillebrand said.*
United Technologies(UTX),Lockheed Martin(LMT)

Nature Note:Red-tailed Hawk

The chunky sentinel of North American roadsides,the red-tailed hawk(buteo jamaicensis),is one of the most common birds of prey on the continent.Tolerant of human activity,this hawk is often noted by motorists as they rush to and fro.
The red-tailed hawk has a rust-colored tail and a white breast with central dark band.It hunts for small mammals up to the size of rabbits either soaring or perched on a tree or telephone pole or wire.Its high-pitched scream is often included in film sound tracks to suggest the wild.
The red-tailed hawk will also feed on roadkill along byways.It breeds as far north as British Columbia and Nova Scotia,and lives year-round down into Mexico.A famous pair of red-taileds has been breeding in New York's Central Park.
They are so widespread,they may serve as an introduction to the raptors for children and adults alike.If you see a hawk while driving ,there's a good chance it is a red-tailed.

USS Michael Murphy Joins Fleet

The USS Michael Murphy(DDG 112),the US Navy's newest warship,was commissioned Saturday in New York City.The Arleigh Burke class destroyer is named in honor of a Navy SEAL and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in action during Operation Redwing in Afghanistan on 28 June,2005.
Among dignitaries attending the traditional ceremony were New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg;Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Johnathan Greenert;and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.Secretary Mabus said the ship honors the courage,service and sacrifice of Lieutenant Michael Murphy.It is designed to counter threats from above and below the surface of the oceans,in the air and on land.
Lieutenant Murphy's mother,ship's sponsor Maureen Murphy,gave the order to man the ship and bring her to life,at which the crew of 279 ran up the gangways and lined up along the rails.The ship's first commanding officer is Commander Thomas E. Shultz of El Cajon,California.
Armed with missiles,a 5-inch gun and torpedoes,the warship is homeported at Pearl Harbor,Hawaii.Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy was a New York native.

Honors:Afghan War Toll

As of Sunday,634 U.S. personnel had died serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.One of them was a Department of Defense civilian.Among the military deaths recently were two Marines.Lance Cpl.Alberto Francesconi of the Bronx,New York was killed in action on 1 January in Helmand Province.He was 21.On 11 January,Lance Cpl.Daniel R. Bennett of Clifton,Virginia also died in Helmand Province,but of non-combat causes at age 23.Both Marines were members of 3rd Battalion,8th Marine Regiment,2nd Marine Division,2nd Marine Expeditionary Force,out of Camp Lejeune,North Carolina.Besides Afghanistan itself,Operation Enduring Freedom is supported from Ethiopia,Jordan,Yemen and at least 12 other countries,where some of the deaths have occurred.