New US Military Deployments to Europe Bolster NATO'S Force Posture

In light of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine,including several war crimes,NATO called for a robust response from NATO Allies.The Pentagon has answered the call by bringing US troop strength in Europe first up to 100,000.Now it will commit even more forces to the mission of deterring Russian aggression in Europe.The exact number of troops hasn't been released yet,but the list of new deployments is substantial.These include the following: in Poland,the U.S. Army is establishing a permanent Headquarters Command Post for U.S. Army V Corps,an Army Garrison Headquarters,and a Field Support Battalion.This will facilitate Command and Control of U.S. Forces in the Eastern Flank of NATO; in Romania,a new Brigade Combat Team of 3,000 Infantry and 2,000 Support Troops will be rotationally deployed; in the Baltic Sea Region,there will be increased rotational deployments of armoured,air defence,and Special Operations Forces; in Rota,Spain,the number of homeported Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers is being increased from four to six; in the UK,two new F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Squadrons are being forward deployed; in Germany,there will be new forward deployments of an Air-Defence Artillery Brigade Headquarters;a Short Range Air-Defence Battalion,a Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Headquarters;and an Engineer Brigade Headquarters; in Italy,there will be a new forward deployed Short Range Air-Defence Battalion.* Additionally,NATO announced it is transforming the NATO Response Force by increasing ready forces from 40,000 to over 300,000 troops on alert for short notice deployment from their home countries.As well,the Enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroups are being scaled up from Battalion size (300-1,000 troops) up to Brigade size (3,000-5,000 troops).New eFP Battlegroups are to be located in Hungary,Slovakia,Romania and Bulgaria,joining the current Battlegroups in Latvia,Lithuania,Estonia and Poland.*

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To the Front Line:Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Units Deployed for Eastern Flank Missions

A number of US Navy and US Marine Corps aviation units have been deployed this week for defence and deterrence missions along NATO'S Eastern Flank,which are deemed critical in light of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.These include 200 Marines from Air Control Group 28 out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,North Carolina who had recently participated in NATO Exercise Cold Response 22,which emphasised the defence of Norway.Another 200 Marines and their 10 legacy F/A-18 C/D Hornets and two KC-130J Hercules tankers out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort,South Carolina will also soon deploy to an unspecified location in Eastern Europe. The Marine aviators are from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2 MAW),II Marine Expeditionary Force.MAC 28 provides multi-domain Command and Control;air defence;air traffic control;and communications support.The Lockheed Martin C-130 J tankers are from Aerial Refueling Training Squadron 252.* For its part,the US Navy deployed six EA-18G Growler Electronic Warfare jets to Spangdahlem Air Base,Germany,along with about 240 personnel,including pilots and maintainers.These will enhance NATO'S collective defence posture,the Pentagon said.They will fly missions in support of Eastern Flank deterrence and defence,but not engage with Russian forces in Ukraine.Rather,they will further increase our air integration capabilties with our Allied and Partner nations,according to spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby,US Navy retired.The Growlers are part of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island,Washington State.Growlers use a suite of jamming sensors to confuse enemy radars,greatly aiding in the ability to conduct supression of enemy air defence operations.The Boeing aircraft feature tactical jamming pods and communications countermeasures. Describing the deployments,Mr.Kirby said: It's about options.It's about capabilities and making sure we've got the right capabilities.* The Growlers are armed with two Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles or two Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for self-defence.* Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT),Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTN)

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American Legion calls urgent meetings on Ukraine: National Commander Paul E. Dillard has called an emergency meeting with the organization’s National Security Commission to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a recommended U.S. response.

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U.S. Army Europe and Africa:Stryker Troop to Hungary;Commander Visits Romania

On 18 February 2022,US Army Europe announced in a press release that it is deploying a Stryker troop to Hungary.Reportedly 150-200 Soldiers will deploy for drills with the very accomplished Hungarian Defence Forces.The drills are rooted in the Letter of Arrangement concerning combined training with the Hungarian Ministry of Defence signed in 2019 and reaffirmed in 2021.They will help ensure our readiness and interoperabilty as NATO Allies,U.S. Army Europe and Africa said.* The Stryker troop is part of US Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment,which is a mounted infantry unit based in Germany.It specialises in deployment on short order and quick movement once deployed.The forward presence by 2nd Cav builds interoperability,trust and our shared commitment to NATO with Allied Soldiers.* On 16 February,the Commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa,General Christopher G. Cavoli,visited US and Romanian Soldiers at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase,Romania.About 1,000 US Soldiers from 2nd Cav are deployed there with their Stryker Armored Fighting Vehicles at the invitation of Romania to serve as part of our enhanced vigilance activities to strengthen our readiness and preserve miltary equilibrium from a force posture perspective.The Romanian Soldiers are led by Major General Iulian Berdila,Chief Romania Land Forces,whom General Cavoli greeted at the air base.* Both deployments come at a time of unprecedented tension in recent times.It is caused by Russia's belligerence toward its neighbour Ukraine by deploying up to 190,000 troops along Ukraine's borders.* The Stryker Armored Fighting Vehicle comes in several versions.It is built by General Dynamics Land Systems and is based on a design for the Canadian Armed Forces,the LAV III light armoured vehicle.* General Dynamics (GD)

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Defence Leaders' Perspective on the Ukraine Crisis

On 28 January 2022,the Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin III,US Army retired,and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,General Mark Milley,US Army,briefed reporters at the Pentagon.The following is this blog's notes on their presentations. General Austin: Russia's buildup has progressed at a consistent and steady pace,supported by increased naval activity in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.The forces they have assembled are capable of the seizure of cities and portions of territories.We remain focused on their use of disinformation and our commitment to national sovereignty,territiorial integrity and self-determination.We're unified against Russia's attempt to undermine our values,but conflict is not inevitable.Diplomacy is still possible.* We have supplied Ukraine with Javelin anti-tank missiles;grenade-launchers;artillery;and small arms.Another shipment arrived today. The situation on Ukraine's borders is changing rapidly.We will continue to provide President Biden with options.We will continue to consult with our Allies.A move by Russia into Ukraine will result in the very opposite of what they say they don't want.There's no reason why this situation has to devolve into conflict.Whatever Putin decides,we will stand with our Allies and Partners.* General Milley: Ukraine has the right to be independent,as it has been since 1991.Russia guaranteed the sovereignty of Ukraine.We strongly encourage Russia to stand down.They have over 100,000 ground manoeuvre forces in place on Ukraine's borders,along with air,naval,Special Operations Forces,and logistics elements. Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe,with 44 million people.When its high water table freezes,it is ideal for the transit of tracked armoured vehicles.If war were to break out,the Ukrainian people will suffer immensely. Ukraine's combat capabilties have improved since Russia's 2014 invasion.There is a small contingent of US military advisors in Ukraine (Yavoriv),but they have no offensive capabilty.NATO,minus the US,has more than 130 brigades of ground manoeuvre forces;93 squadrons of high-end fighter aircraft;four aircraft carriers;and other surface combatants.The President has authorised us to reassure and reinforce our NATO Allies.* General Austin: We always consider the impact our troop movements will have on other leaders.If and when we do move in,the purpose is to reassure and support NATO.Russia's moves are an overt act of coercion against Ukraine.With north of 100,000 troops,that gives Putin a number of options.We can't predict what he will decide,but we remain concerned about the range of options he has. General Milley: They could move against Ukraine with ground manoeuvre forces and air power.They could launch ballistic missiles. General Austin: Their force posture far and away exceeds what we typically see for exercises.We're focused to provide the President with options to support and reinforce NATO. General Milley: Russia's force posture does feel different than anything we have seen in recent memory-since the end of the Cold War.* General Austin,when asked whether US troops might assist Americans in Ukraine to evacuate: Any troops that we deploy have multiple capabilities.The President has been clear about not using troops in Ukraine for combat operations,but we prepare for a range of activities and options.Whatever task the US military is called upon to accompish,we'll do our best to do it.The US military is prepared to do whatever we are directed to do.We have significant capabilties to protect and defend the homeland. Let me thank Canada and our other Allies for what they do to support Ukraine.We are in constant communication with Canada and the UK on support for Ukraine. I don't think this is about trusting Putin.This is about our Allies trusting us.Right now,we don't think Russia's final decisions have been made.* General Milley: All of Russia's forces are packaged together.If they were unleashed on Ukraine,there would be significant civilian casualties.It would be horrific.It would be terrible.* General Austin: There was no provocation that caused them to move those forces to the borders of Ukraine.*