Combat Credible Forces:Rotational Army Units Deploy to Europe for Reasurrance,Deterrence and Defence

A press release by U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEA) states that U.S. Army rotational units have been deployed to Europe for NATO support: 1.The 1st Cavalry Division HQ will replace 3rd Infantry Division HQ in Europe for the first time in four years,which was before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022;2.the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery in Europe;3.the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT),"Ironhorse",4th Infantry Division,will replace the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,3rd Infantry Division in Europe;4.the 1st Cavalry Combat Aviation Brigade (AirCav) will replace the 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade;5.the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade in Europe.The deployments will occur between April and June.*According to the Task and Purpose news outlet,the U.S. Army's "First Team" is on its way to Europe.Ahead of its deployment,the unit held a casing of the colours ceremony at its home,Fort Cavazos,Texas.It is the first time the unit is deploying to Europe under the leadership of MG Kevin D. Admiral.MG Admiral said the troops were ready for their mission:We are going over to reassure our NATO Allies and work with Partners.*Along with MG Admiral was SGM LeVares J. Jackson,and the two leaders folded and cased the unit's colours.This signifies the deployment of 1st CAV.Said MG Admiral:Now more than ever,it is critical that we reassure our Allies in Europe that America's First Team will provide combat ready formations to deter aggression,and,should deterrence fail,our adversaries will see what it means to be CAV ready.*In addition,according to the Army Times news outlet,the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division,will replace 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division in support of NATO Allies.This will occur later this summer,according to LTC Sarah Ray,10th Mountain Division spokesperson.She said:They will continue to assure our NATO Partners and Allies,deterring further Russian aggression and reinforcing the NATO flank in Eastern Europe.*USAEA stated that some 1600 Soldiers already arrived in Norway to begin a nearly 559 mi/899.6 km road march to Finland,where 10th Mountain Division is currently taking part in multinational training between the US,NATO and new member Finland.The drills will occur through 31 May and involve more than 10,400 U.S. service members.*When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022,the Biden administration announced an influx of troops to shore up NATO's Eastern Flank-and spurred two Nordic neighbours to join the Alliance.Sweden joined NATO on 7 March 2024 and Finland joined on 4 April 2024.The 10th Mountain Division deployment to Finland will be an historic one,as the first light Infantry Brigade Combat Team to deploy to a Nordic Country.*The Pentagon had responded to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine by deploying 20,000 additional troops to Europe,bringing the total number of U.S. troops in European operations to more than 100,000.*The 3rd Infantry Division is out of Fort Johnson,Louisiana.*History of 1st CAV:1st Cavalry Division had participated in World War II combat;Korean War combat;Air mobile warfare,Vietnam;Gulf War combat;War on Terror combat in the Iraq War and Afghan War.Activated on 13 September 2021 at Fort Bliss,Texas,initially the troopers rode on horseback in desert regions around Fort Bliss,engaging in rough-riding along the Mexico border.With technological advancement,horse mounted cavalry became obsolete,so the Division transitioned to dismounted cavalry for WW II.In 2023,the Division became subordinate to III Armored Corps at Fort Cavazos,Texas.

US Army, NATO. Tanks, armored vehicles and soldiers. Combat exercises in Poland

The Soldiers are with the US Army 3rd Infantry Division.The Stryker Armored Combat Vehicles are by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.*General Dynamics (GD)

Task Force Marne M1A3 Abrams tank crews conduct live-fire exercise in Lithuania

Task Force Marne M1A3 Abrams tank crews conduct live-fire exercise in Lithuania: U.S. Army Sgt. Miranda Sandoval, a tank armor crewman with Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, gives an interview about a platoon live-fire exercise at Camp Herkus, Lithuania, Jan. 14, 2024. The 3rd Infantry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army video by Sgt. Alex Soliday)

US Army, NATO. Powerful M1A2 Abrams tanks on Parade in Lithuania.

US Army, NATO. M1A2 Abrams tanks during a tactical road march in Germany.

Army 3rd Infantry Division to Europe for NATO Operation

Some 4500 U.S. Army Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division are headed for Europe,or have alredy arrived there,to bolster NATO's Eastern Flank.Members of the 3rd Infantry Division's Headquarters began departing from Hunter Army Airfield,Georgia on 5 September 2023.On 9 September,a change of command ceremony was held as the Army's 4th Infantry Division transferred authority for Poland-Baltic States protection to 3rd Infantry Division,Task Force Marne-referring to the unit's history in the World War I Battle of the Marne.Task Force Marne will serve in support of Operation Assure,Deter and Reinforce,working alongside NATO Allies and regional security Partners to provide combat-credible Forces to U.S. Army V Corps,America's forward deployed corps in Europe,the Army said.Thus Task Force Marne assumes control of infantry,armored,aviation,and logisitics units across Poland and the Baltic Sea Region.Said 3rd Infantry Division commander,Major General Christopher Norrie:Once again,we have the privilege of standing together with our Polish Allies,the Baltic States,and the rest of NATO.We have stood shoulder-to-shoulder against tyranny and oppression,and we pray that this Alliance will continue to be a beacon of hope for all who aspire for freedom and justice around the world.Added Lt.Gen.John Kolasheski,commanding general of V Corps:Your presence here on the Eastern Flank of NATO is essential to gauranteeing a free and open Europe.We will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Allies from across the Alliance during this deployment,which is critical.And should deterrence fail,we will be prepared to defend every inch of sovereign NATO territory.*The Army explained that the Marne Division is the hammer of the U.S. Army's XVIII Airborne Corps,able to raidly deploy,fight,and win against near-peer competitors in large-scale combat operations.The 3rd Infantry Division is the most modernised and lethal formation in the U.S. Army and is fully trained and ready for this important mission.About 4500 Soldiers from 3rd Infantry Division HQ,3rd Infantry Division Artillery Brigade,3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade and 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team are deploying to various locations across Europe to support NATO Allies;deter further aggression against NATO member states;and train with host-nation Forces to build readiness and interoperability.They join about 2,000 Soldiers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade who deployed to Europe earlier this year,as well as other U.S. Army units currently serving in Europe from Task Force Marne.To prepare for this mission,3rd Infantry Division conducted multiple complex exercises,modernisation,and a culminating training event at Fort Irwin,California.* Should deterrence fail,US Army troops in Poland would be tasked with keeping the Suwalki Gap open,retired Marine Corps Colonel Mark Cancian,a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies,told the Task and Purpose newsletter.The Suwalki Gap is a stretch of rural land on the Poland-Lithuania border that is of great strategic significance.It is the only land crossing from Poland to the Baltic States of Lithuania,Latvia and Estonia.The 3rd Infantry Division troops are joining the approximately 85,000 U.S. Forces already in Europe.The deploying Soldiers represent the U.S. commitment to uphold the principles of democracy,territorial integrity,sovereignty,and respect for the international rules-based order.

U.S. Army 3rd ID soldiers Arrive at Nuremberg Airport Europe - 28 February 2022,within four days of Russia invading Ukraine

Afghan War:Green on Blue Attack Kills US Soldier

A so-called "green on blue" attack,which is an attack by an enemy posing as an ally,killed US Army CPL Joseph Maciel,20,of South Gate,California on 7 July 2018 in Tarin Kowt district of Uruzgan Province.Uruzgan borders Kandahar Province to the south.The incident is under investigation.Two other US Soldiers were wounded and are in stable condition.*
CPL Maciel was a member of 1st Battalion,28th Infantry Regiment,3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Benning,Georgia.He was serving with the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade,one of the new units set up to help implement the President's South Asia Strategy in Afghanistan.CPL Maciel received the Purple Heart Medal,Bronze Star Medal and Army Achievement Medal,along with the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.*
The unit was returning the US Army to the practice of having US infantry troops training and advising the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces,rather than just Special Operations Forces doing that task.The SFAB had received special training at Fort Benning in establishing rapport with the ANDSF and in foreign languages.
CPL Maciel was engaged in providing force protection for the unit's trainers and advisors.The SFAB numbers about 800 trainers and advisors and 300 support troops across Afghanistan.*
A Taliban spokesman said the attacker acted alone;but the Taliban "appreciated" his deed.It was the third US combat death this year in Afghanistan,and the first US green on blue fatality since June 2017.1st Battalion commander LTCOL David Connor said that CPL Maciel was:
an excellent Soldier beloved by his teammates and dedicated to our mission.He will be greatly missed by the entire Black Lion family.

Major NATO Exercise Underway in Republic of Georgia

About 1300 NATO and Republic of Georgia troops are currently executing Exercise Noble Partner 16 at Vaziani Training Area,Georgia.It is the largest exercise in the history of NATO Partner Georgia,which aspires to NATO membership.Having begun on 11 May,the two weeks of drills involve qualifying a Georgia light infantry company from 4th Armoured Brigade for the NATO Response Force,as well as enhancing Georgia's self-defence capability.The Brigade will operate T-72 Main Battle Tanks;BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles;and several wheeled-support vehicles,US Army Europe said.
One of the overarching goals of the NRF is to ensure the ability of a rapid military force to respond quickly wherever needed whenever a security crisis emerges,according to Nicholas Berliner,US Embassy Georgia Deputy Chief of Mission.The NRF is a highly ready and technologically advanced multinational force that can include NATO Partners such as Georgia in addition to Allies,with both land,air,maritime and Special Operations Forces components.*
In addition to the Georgian contingent of around 500 troops,the US Army is contributing about 650 troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade,as well as 3rd Infantry Division,the Georgia State Army National Guard and Air National Guard 165 Airlift Wing with 3 C-130 Hercules aircraft;while The UK has sent some 150 soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Rifles.
3 Rifles are a fully operational Light Role Infantry Battalion available for deployment worldwide from Dreghan Barracks in Edinburgh,Scotland.They are currently the spearhead Battalion of 12 Mechanised Brigade,tasked to deploy at short notice to trouble spots around the world such as Lebanon,the British Army said.*
The US infantry is operating their M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks;Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles;M119 Light Towed Howitzers;and several wheeled-support vehicles during Noble Partner 16.The exercise will include situational training;field training;and a final live-fire drill.*
We will accomplish a lot and we are looking forward to truly demonstrating interoperability between our forces,and we are looking forward to continuing to improve the readiness of our organisations,according to Colonel Jeff Dickerson,US Army,Deputy Exercise Director.*

US Army Europe To Preposition Tanks as Ukraine Conflict Rages-the latest intel

In the next few weeks,US Army Europe is sending a survey team to Europe to find suitable storage sites for some 220 tanks and other armoured vehicles,according to its commander,Lieutenant General Ben Hodges.In the next few weeks,the teams will survey sites in Estonia,Latvia,Lithuania,Poland,Romania and Bulgaria.A heavy brigade of around 3,000 US troops are to be rotated through Europe in 2015.The Army has upped its prepositioning plans from battalion up to brigade-size European Activity Sets to support the growing numbers of US troops rotating through Europe on their missions.
The ultimate EAS will include the full armoured brigade combat team;three maneuver battalions;a reconnaissance squadron;artillery,engineers and so on.That will amount to around 220 armoured vehicles,tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.It should all be in place by year's end.The NATO allies in Eastern Europe all want these vehicles badly,GEN Hodges said.An obvious reason-they're a deterrent aspect.Although some of the tanks will be stationed in Germany,USAEUR really wants to station some in Southeastern Europe;some in the Baltics;some in Poland.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team,3rd Infantry Division,will be rotating to Europe to deter Russian aggression,reassure allies in the East and strengthen training partnerships.GEN Hodges cited hundreds of armoured vehicles,rocket launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles that are being provided by Russia and employed by either the Russians themselves or their proxies in Eastern Ukraine.The sky is full of Russian UAVs and they are immediately finding all the Ukrainian formations,and the Ukrainians are suffering huge casualties from artillery and rocket barrages.
This concern was echoed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on 24 January,who said fighting in Eastern Ukraine has sharply escalated,with indications of a large-scale offensive by Russian-backed separatists at multiple locations within Donestk and Luhansk Oblasts,as well as against the city of Mariupol.The shelling of residential areas in the city of Mariupol from separatist-controlled territory has cost the lives of at least 20 civilians and injured many more.
For several months,Mr.Stoltenberg continued,we have seen the presence of Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine,as well as a substantial increase in Russian heavy equipment such as tanks,artillery and advanced air-defence systems.Russian troops in Eastern Ukraine are supporting these offensive operations with command-and-control systems,air-defence systems with advanced surface-to-air missiles,unmanned aerial systems,advanced multiple-rocket launcher systems,and electronic warfare systems.

Honors:Iraq War Not Over

The death of Army Sargeant Brandon S. Hocking,a native of Federal Way,Washington,on 21 March,is a reminder that,for the 46,000 Americans still serving in Iraq,despite a transformed mission,the enemy may yet threaten on quiet roads.Sargeant Hocking is one of the 11 U.S. service members to die in Iraq so far this year.
According to the Pentagon,as of 29 March,4,444 Americans had died in the Iraq War,which began in 2003.Formerly known as Operation Iraqi Freedom,it is now called Operation New Dawn.The U.S. role has shifted from combat operations to advising and training the Iraqi forces.
Like so many before him,Sargeant Hocking was killed by an improvised explosive device.A small arms repair specialist,the husband,father and stepfather was manning a gun for a convoy traveling from base to base,fixing small arms for various units.It was his second deployment to Iraq.He was buried on his 25th birthday in Tahoma National Cemetery,Kent,Washington.
A member of the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion,3rd Sustainment Brigade,3rd Infantry Division,Fort Stewart,Georgia,Sargeant Hocking posthumously received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Beisdes Army troops,less than 200 U.S. Marines still serve in Iraq,57 of them from Camp Lejeune,North Carolina.All U.S. forces are to be withdrawn by the end of 2011,Vice President Joe Biden confirmed in January while visiting Iraq.