US to deploy 3,000 troops to Europe, moves 160 soldiers out of Ukraine

News, US February 13, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States is set to deploy another 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to Europe in the coming days, as Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin temporarily repositions 160 soldiers, who were training Ukraine’s military, out of the country.

The moves come as Russia increases military buildup around Ukraine, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

On February 11, Sullivan warned that Russian forces are “in a position to be able to mount a major military action” and urged American citizens to immediately leave Ukraine.

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said in a statement on February 12 that “They [U.S. troops] are departing Ukraine and will reposition elsewhere in Europe.”

“The secretary made this decision out of an abundance of caution — with the safety and security of our personnel foremost in mind — and informed by the State Department’s guidance on U.S. personnel in Ukraine,” Kirby added.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense release, “A total of 160 members of the Florida National Guard have been deployed to Ukraine since late November training and advising and mentoring Ukrainian armed forces. The troops, assigned to the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, are part of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.”

A senior defense official stated that the U.S. would soon deploy additional 3,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Europe. “This second tranche of airborne soldiers will join in Poland the first tranche of 1,700 soldiers and key enablers that Secretary Austin ordered there on February 2nd.”

“Nearly two-thirds of this first tranche has already arrived. They are commanded by Army Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue,” the senior defense official added.

Soldiers from 5-4 Air Defense Artillery Battalion prepare for a convoy from Germany to Romania, on February 7, 2022. (Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense)

According to the defense official, the deployment of 300 members of the 18th Airborne Corps headquarters element to Germany has been completed and that element is led by U.S. Army Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla.

The U.S. Department of Defense statement read, “these 5,000 additional personnel comprise a highly mobile and flexible force, capable of multiple missions. They are being deployed to reassure our NATO allies, deter any potential aggression against NATO’s eastern flank, train with host-nation forces and contribute to a wide range of contingencies. They will report to Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, the commander of U.S. European Command.”

At present, there are more than 80,000 U.S. service members stationed in Europe, the Defense Department release added.

Earlier this month, the U.S. president approved the deployment of 3,000 soldiers to Eastern Europe amid fears of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.