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.

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."