Response to Russia:Screaming Eagles Back in Europe for First Time Since World War II

The US Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault),the Screaming Eagles,have been deployed to Europe for the first time in nearly eight decades.Hundreds of members of the unit,which participated in the D-Day invasion on 6 June 1944,arrived back in the continent after departing from Campbell Army Airfield,Kentucky on 27 June 2022 on a nine-month deployment to Europe.Their mission?To assure NATO Allies and deter Russian aggression.According to Col.John Lubas,deputy commander for operations 101st Airborne Division: We're going to check the Russian influence and we're going to impact the Russians' decision-making for probably the next 10-20 years.We're going to do this with all our Partners in NATO,the European Union and the West,and this is an incredibly important mission.* Major General J.P. McGee,commanding general 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell,said the Division had been in an increased readiness posture for several months and is just as prepared now as in World War II: Since D-Day,June 6,1944,this Division has repeatedly answered the nation's call in every major conflict.The Screaming Eagles of today are ready to support our Allies to preserve the long-lasting stability of the Europe that our predecessors fought and died to secure.* On 30 July 2022,the 101st uncased their colours (flags) in the traditional Army ceremony marking their arrival in Europe at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase,Romania.They were welcomed by the Prime Minister of Romania,Nicolae Ciuca.The troops will be deployed to Bulgaria,Hungary,Romania and Slovakia,representing the ironclad commitment of the United States to its Allies.They will be deployed in support of U.S. Army V Corps,reinforce NATO'S Eastern Flank and engage in multi-national exercises with Partners across the European theatre of operations.The unit's Soldiers in Romania are only 198 miles/318.65 kilometers from where the fighting is raging in Kherson,Ukraine,which makes them the most foward-deployed force in the US military.* More recently,the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) had served in Vietnam,Iraq and Afghanistan.Their current deployment to Europe includes elements of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.*