US Army, NATO. Tanks and self-propelled howitzers during combat exercises in Eastern Europe

NATO Land Forces:Combined Resolve 19 Tests Warfighting Acumen

U.S. Army Europe and Africa is leading the recurring exercise Combined Resolve 19 at the Joint Multi-National Readiness Center near Hohenfels,Bavaria,Germany.The purpose of the drills is to prepare a US Brigade Combat Team in support of NATO Deterrence and Defence initiatives,while also developing NATO Allies and key Partners' interoperability and readiness across specified warfighting functions.In the course of the exercise,the Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell,Kentucky will execute muti-domain operations during combat training drills as the primary audience for the instruction.Said Col.Trevor Voelkel,1st Brigade Combat Team commander:No matter where the U.S. Army finds itself,whether here in Europe or beyond-we,along with our Allies and Partners-need to be ready to respond when our nations call.And this exercise,which will hone our warfighting abilities,will ensure we are ready.*The drills will facilitate implementation of Operation Atlantic Resolve,not only in the context of Russia's first invasion of Ukraine in 2014,but of its further brutal aggression in 2022 as well.Besides 1st BCT,other Army units participating include:10th Mountain Division;10th Air and Missile Defense Command;41st Fires Brigade;3rd Combat Aviation Brigade;and Army Reserve Units permanently stationed in Germany conducting their annual training,the Army noted.*More than 4200 military personnel from 14 nations will take part in the exercise,including:Bosnia and Herzegovina,Finland,Georgia,Greece,Italy,Lithuania,Moldova,North Macedonia,Romania,Slovenia,Spain,Sweden,the UK and the US.The drills run from 10 October 2023 to 11 November.7th Army Training Command is providing training areas and logisitical support for the exercise that ensures operational readiness.*CR19 will evaluate and assess 1st BCT's ability to conduct combat operations in a complex,multi-domain battlespace.It will bolster readiness and test responsiveness and reinforcement capability.*The Joint Multi-National Readiness Center provides world-class operational Forces (1st Battalion,4th Infantry Regiment) to showcase opposing Forces in the drills.This is critical so the troops will be ready to fight what's coming next.There will be a live,thinking enemy to challenge the Brigade,enabling them to master large-scale ground combat operations.The 1-4 will not so much simulate as replicate enemy Forces.By working through CR19,1st BCT will be enabled to respond more effectively to regional crises,while meeting their own security needs.They will be tested and certified to be combat-credible warriors,ready to accomplish objectives for a strong Europe beside the Allies and Partners they will fight alongside if necessary.Having been totally immersed in an operational environment with no pauses,they will make significant progress toward Deterrence and Defence.

U.S. Army, NATO. Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division In Moldova. Training mission - Exercise Rapid Trident

NATO Partner Moldova borders Ukraine,which is to the east.Romanian is the majority language (75%),with a Russian-speaking minority (16%).

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.

101st Airborne Division deployed to Camp Mihail Kogălniceanu - from departure to arrival in Europe, plus some good interviews with captains and NCOs

101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Soldiers arrive in Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase,Romania 28 June 2022

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.*

Germany to Maintain Nuclear Relationship with the Pentagon

Surprising no one, the Federal Republic of Germany has decided to reaffirm its dual key nuclear deterrence relationship with the United States.The German government,led by long-time Chancellor Angela Merkel, will announce in May that it is purchasing 30 Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and 15 EA-18G Growler electronic attack/reconnaissance jets for the Luftwaffe​, German media report. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told US Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper about the plan.The acquisition is part of a recapitalisation of the Luftwaffe.At the same time, several dozen Eurofighter Typhoon fighters will also be acquired.*

The Super Hornet is notably capable of carrying the new version of the American B61 nuclear bomb, the B61-12; while the Eurofighter is not.Thus the purchase of the Boeing planes will facilitate continuation of the current nuclear deal appoved by NATO'S Nuclear Committee.
Germany is one of five NATO Allies allowing the US to store nuclear weapons on its territory.The others are Belgium,Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.In the event of a major conflict,both the US and the Ally would have to agree to deliver a nuclear  weapon on an enemy target.*
Two other NATO Allies, France and Great Britain, maintain an independent nuclear deterrent.*
Boeing (BA)

101st Airborne Division:Ukrainian Brigade Completes Rotation at CCT-Yavoriv

On 13 July 2019,the Armed Forces of Ukraine's 95th Air Assault Brigade completed its training rotation at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv,Ukraine,the US Army's 101st Airborne Division reported.A ceremony was held to mark the occasion by Task Force Carentan,2nd Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division (Air Assault),which trained the Ukrainian troops.
LTC Michael Starz,CTC mentorship branch commander,spoke at the ceremony:
We offered NATO techniques to enhance combat effectiveness of your forces.Commanders at lower levels are empowered with clear intent of higher commanders.Non-commissioned officers are experts and decisive to all levels of operations,from squad to brigade.This is not theory.This is combat tested and proven.It works and we saw you embrace this as a unit dedicated to learning and improvement.*
Certificates of achievement were presented to the 95th AASLT BDE by TF Carentan Senior Leaders for their dedication to their Soldiers and resilience during their training rotation at CTC-Yavoriv.
In conclusion,LTC Starz expressed the emotion of the day:
We bid you farewell with confidence that we will find each other again in each other's homes,at a future exercise,or in an operation.See you on the high ground.*

Three US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Identified - 101st Airborne Division

The Pentagon has released the identities of the three US Army troops killed in Achin district of Nangarhar Province,Afghanistan on 10 June 2017.They were on a counterterrorism mission with Afghan National Defence and Security Forces against ISIL-K at the time of the incident,which is being considered an attack by an enemy infiltrator,or green-on-blue attack.The Taliban militants claimed responsibility for it.
All three Americans were members of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell,Kentucky.Those killed were:
Sergeant Erick M. Houck,25,of Baltimore,Maryland;Sergeant William M. Bays,29,of Barstow,California;and Corporal Dillon C. Baldridge,22,of Youngsville,North Carolina.
The Soldiers were serving in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team,and two of them were "Rakkasans" of the 187th Infantry Regiment,having been deployed in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel in the fall of 2016.Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell,Major General Andrew Poppas,said of the incident:
We take this as a family loss.In the days ahead,the 101st Soldiers and the Rakkasans will continue the fight against terrorism with unbridled determination.Our Soldiers are battle-hardened and committed to the defence of our nation and the freedoms for which we fight.*
SGT Houck was a forward observer in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery,320th Field Artillery Regiment,assigned as a Fire Support Sergeant,having joined the Army in 2013.His awards include:Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster;Army Superior Unit Award;and the Army Good Conduct Medal,as well as the NATO Medal and Air Assault Badge.*
SGT Bays was an Infantryman in Company D,1st Battalion,187th Infantry Regiment.He was assigned as a Squad Leader,having joined the Army in 2009.His awards include:the Meritorious Unit Commendation;Army Good Conduct Medal;National Defense Service Medal;as well as the NATO Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster,Air Assault Badge and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.*
CPL Baldridge was an Infantryman in Company D,1st Battalion,187th Infantry Regiment,and was assigned as a Squad Leader,having joined the Army in February 2013.His awards include the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters;the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal;Army Commendation Medal,as well as the NATO Medal and Expert Infantryman Badge.*
All three Soldiers received various posthumous medals,among them the Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals.CPL Baldridge was,in addition,posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant.*
"Rakkasans" is a nickname for the 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.It was received in occupied Japan after World War II when a translator was explaining to a local official what kind of troops they were.It is the Japanese word for "parachute men."