Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby today announced that troops from Fort Bragg would be deployed to Germany, Romania, and Poland in response to tensions in Ukraine and threats of a Russian invasion.
A source speaking to Connecting Vets on the condition of anonymity said that 3rd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division which is currently on IRF1 status will deploy. The Immediate Response Force is a Brigade in the division which is available for immediate rapid deployment to emergency situations worldwide. They are currently packing up and heading to Romania.
Kirby said the troops are intended to temporarily bolster allied defensive positions and will not enter Ukraine, The AP reported.
“These are not permanent moves,” he said, before adding the Russian buildup has continued, even in the last 24 hours, despite U.S. urgings that it deescalate.
Additionally, aspects of the XVIII ABN Corps will deploy to Germany and Poland. These deployments are expected to take place over the coming weekend.
Approximately 2,000 soldiers from Fort Bragg will be deployed according to Kirby, with an additional 1,000 troops currently in Germany, where the Allied Spirit training exercise is taking place, will shift missions to elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Kirby made clear that these troops are not being sent to fight in Ukraine itself. Rather, it appears they are being deployed as a containment measure.
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Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary declined the presence of American troops in his country, and recently stated that President Putin's demands to NATO are not unreasonable.
Over 100,000 Russian troops are currently situated on Russia's western border, and increasingly in Belarus as well.
Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.
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