Sustaining Combat Power:Army Winter Rotation to Europe

On 9 November 2022,the Department of the Army announced the upcoming winter deployment of 1st Cavalry Division,2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team to Europe.Out of Fort Hood,Texas, the 2nd ABCT is to replace the 3rd ABCT in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve,which was established in 2014 following Russia's first invasion of Ukraine,in which it annexed Crimea.Said Colonel Christopher J. Kilpatrick,commander of 2nd ABCT: We are part of the most modern and lethal armour formation on Earth.We are "all in" to reassure our European Allies and deter any potential adversaries from doing anything they would regret.* Indeed,the 2nd ABCT equipment,stationed at Fort Riley,Kansas,off-loaded at ports in Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki,Greece,as well as Gdynia,Poland in the 18-30 November time frame.From these ports,the equipment was moved by rail and commercial trucking to follow-on locations in Central and Eastern Europe.The deployment of ready,combat-credible U.S. forces in support of Atlantic Resolve shows the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe.It builds readiness,increases interoperability and enhances bonds between Ally and Partner militaries,the Army said.No specific dates or destinations were mentioned.It should be noted,however,that 2nd ABCT was still in Fort Hood as of 2 December,when Command Sergeant Major Steven Campbell relinquished responsiblity of the brigade to CSM Brian Adams at a ceremony on Cooper Field in Fort Hood.* Previous deployments of 2nd ABCT were in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn in Iraq,as well as Atlantic Resolve.Operation New Dawn was a train,advise and assist sequel to Iraqi Freedom,including a counterinsurgency role.It ran from 2010-2011.The official casualty report for New Dawn stated that there had been 66 total deaths,including 38 attributed to enemy action,with 305 wounded.It was commanded by the current Secretary of Defense,then Lieutenant General Lloyd J. Austin III.* An ABCT is the largest brigade combat team formation,having 4743 Soldiers.It consists of 87 Abrams tanks and 152 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs),as well as associated wheeled tankers for a limited refueling capability.* General Dynamics (GD)