(TheRedAlertNews.com) – In an announcement on Wednesday, the Pentagon revealed President Joe Biden’s plans to send 2,000 U.S.-based troops to Germany and Poland in addition to shifting 1,000 soldiers stationed in Germany to Romania. The move demonstrates U.S. commitment to allies in the face of a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine.
John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary, said the U.S. forces to be deployed shortly would reinforce U.S. and allied defense positions without entering Ukraine.
Kirby stressed that the deployments “are not permanent moves,” adding that the decision is to reassure allies during heightened tension caused by Russia’s estimated 100,000 troops stationed alongside Ukraine’s borders. This buildup of troops continues even with the U.S. urging Russia to de-escalate.
Of the 2,000 soon-to-be-deployed troops, 1700 –– deploying from Fort Bragg in North Carolina –– will add to the several thousand soldiers already in Poland and be made up of members of the 82nd Airborne Division infantry brigade. The remaining 300 will be deployed to Germany, which the Pentagon calls the “joint task force-capable headquarters,” and be made up of the 18th Airborne Corps.
Supporting the move, Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak released a brief statement on Twitter touting the U.S. deployment to the Central European country as “a strong signal of solidarity in response to the situation in Ukraine.”
According to Kirby, the 1,000 U.S. troops headed for Romania will add to the roughly 900 U.S. already in the country and be made up of members of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, currently based at Vilseck, Germany.
In a separate statement, the Pentagon confirmed that the deployments are to “deter aggression and enhance our defensive capabilities in frontline allied states during this period of elevated risk.”
Kirby reiterated the purpose behind the move, saying, “It’s important that we send a strong signal to Mr. Putin and to the world” that the U.S. is committed to NATO.
