Responses: 15
In general, I concur with your assessment my friend SFC William Farrell. However, unlike South Korea we have Army bases and capabilities in Poland, Bulgaria and Romania as well as air bases Iceland, UK, Hungary, etc.
Since 2014 we have rotated brigade size forces to Poland as part of Atlantic Resolve.
We also have assets in Ukraine.
Image: US Air Bases in Europe.
"Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe has led land forces efforts on behalf of the U.S. military, by conducting continuous, enhanced multinational training and security cooperation activities with allies and partners in eastern Europe. These events improve interoperability, strengthen relationships and trust among allied armies, contribute to regional stability, and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO"
http://www.eur.army.mil/AtlanticResolve/
Detailed background from globalsecurity.org/military/ops/atlantic-resolve.htm
"Operation Atlantic Resolve began in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland as part of unscheduled Land Forces Assurance Exercises to demonstrate commitment to NATO obligations and sustain interoperability with allied forces. US Army Europe’s 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) deployed company-sized contingents (150 per country) of U.S. paratroopers to Poland (April 23), Latvia (April 24), Lithuania (April 26) and Estonia (April 28) to begin expanded land force training
The first land forces activity associated with this operation was Exercise Saber Guardian 14: (Bulgaria, March 21 - April 4). Approximately 550 U.S. service members, with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Georgia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. The exercise was a U.S. Army Europe and Bulgarian Land Forces-led combined Joint Task Force and brigade command post exercise /computer-assisted exercise. This exercise was designed to strengthen international agency and military partnering, foster trust and improve interoperability between NATO and partner nations involved in foreign humanitarian assistance operations with U.S. forces.
Under NATO Baltic Air Policing, the U.S. more than doubled the number of aircraft allocated to this mission. On March 6, the United States deployed an additional six F-15Cs to augment the four F-15Cs already in Lithuania filling a NATO peacetime requirement to have quick-reaction interceptor aircraft "ramp-ready" for a four-month period. The U.S. rotation began in January. Poland took over the Baltic Air Policing task on May 1 with augmentation from the United Kingdom, Denmark and France.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) conducted operations in the Black Sea in March 2014 to reassure our allies of the U.S. commitment to the region. Truxtun made port calls in Constanta, Romania, and Haifa, Israel; and participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Romanian and Bulgarian naval forces. The ship extended in the Black Sea to conduct an additional port visit in Varna, Bulgaria; to host an onboard maritime planning conference with Bulgarian and Romanian officers; and participate in a second PASSEX.
As part of both the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the 2015 Defense Appropriations Act, the European Reassurance Initiative will provide $1 billion in funding to enable the DoD to continue its efforts to reassure NATO allies and bolster the security and capacity of our partners in the region. This initiative will enable DoD to:
Continue conducting military exercises and training on land, in the air and at sea, while sustaining a rotational presence across Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve;
Increase the responsiveness of U.S. forces to reinforce NATO by exploring initiatives such as prepositioning of equipment and enhancing reception facilities in Europe;
Increase participation by the U.S. Navy in NATO naval force deployments, including more persistent deployments to the Black and Baltic seas;
Build the capacity of close partners such as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to enhance interoperability to work alongside the United States and NATO forces, as well as provide for their own defense.
Ultimately, the European Reassurance Initiative allows the US to continue to take the necessary actions to increase the readiness and responsiveness not only of the US military forces in Europe, but also of NATO allies and partners to address any threat and help deter further destabilizing activities in the region.
The training of the Ukrainian National Guard by the US Army Europe soldiers will start in spring following Kiev’s request, spokesperson for US European Command David Westover said 22 January 2015. “The training, scheduled to begin in spring, comes at the request of the Ukrainian government as they work to reform their police forces and establish their newly formed National Guard,” Westover said adding that the mission is part of a US State Department initiative to assist Ukraine in strengthening its law enforcement capabilities, conducting internal defense, and maintaining rule of law.
The United States said March 09, 2015 some 750 U.S. Army tanks, helicopters, and other equipment had arrived in Riga, Latvia. The Pentagon said the March 9 deployment was a part of the U.S. military's Operation Atlantic Resolve aimed at demonstrating commitment to NATO allies in light of what members of the alliance see as Russia's increasingly aggressive attitude.
The Defense Department said some 3,000 members of a 3rd Infantry Division brigade combat team would begin flowing into the region as part of a three-month deployment. The unit will participate in multinational training missions with NATO partners in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It will take over responsibility for the training mission from the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Regiment, which will depart this month."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown CMSgt (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
Since 2014 we have rotated brigade size forces to Poland as part of Atlantic Resolve.
We also have assets in Ukraine.
Image: US Air Bases in Europe.
"Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region.
Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe has led land forces efforts on behalf of the U.S. military, by conducting continuous, enhanced multinational training and security cooperation activities with allies and partners in eastern Europe. These events improve interoperability, strengthen relationships and trust among allied armies, contribute to regional stability, and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO"
http://www.eur.army.mil/AtlanticResolve/
Detailed background from globalsecurity.org/military/ops/atlantic-resolve.htm
"Operation Atlantic Resolve began in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland as part of unscheduled Land Forces Assurance Exercises to demonstrate commitment to NATO obligations and sustain interoperability with allied forces. US Army Europe’s 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) deployed company-sized contingents (150 per country) of U.S. paratroopers to Poland (April 23), Latvia (April 24), Lithuania (April 26) and Estonia (April 28) to begin expanded land force training
The first land forces activity associated with this operation was Exercise Saber Guardian 14: (Bulgaria, March 21 - April 4). Approximately 550 U.S. service members, with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Georgia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. The exercise was a U.S. Army Europe and Bulgarian Land Forces-led combined Joint Task Force and brigade command post exercise /computer-assisted exercise. This exercise was designed to strengthen international agency and military partnering, foster trust and improve interoperability between NATO and partner nations involved in foreign humanitarian assistance operations with U.S. forces.
Under NATO Baltic Air Policing, the U.S. more than doubled the number of aircraft allocated to this mission. On March 6, the United States deployed an additional six F-15Cs to augment the four F-15Cs already in Lithuania filling a NATO peacetime requirement to have quick-reaction interceptor aircraft "ramp-ready" for a four-month period. The U.S. rotation began in January. Poland took over the Baltic Air Policing task on May 1 with augmentation from the United Kingdom, Denmark and France.
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) conducted operations in the Black Sea in March 2014 to reassure our allies of the U.S. commitment to the region. Truxtun made port calls in Constanta, Romania, and Haifa, Israel; and participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Romanian and Bulgarian naval forces. The ship extended in the Black Sea to conduct an additional port visit in Varna, Bulgaria; to host an onboard maritime planning conference with Bulgarian and Romanian officers; and participate in a second PASSEX.
As part of both the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the 2015 Defense Appropriations Act, the European Reassurance Initiative will provide $1 billion in funding to enable the DoD to continue its efforts to reassure NATO allies and bolster the security and capacity of our partners in the region. This initiative will enable DoD to:
Continue conducting military exercises and training on land, in the air and at sea, while sustaining a rotational presence across Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve;
Increase the responsiveness of U.S. forces to reinforce NATO by exploring initiatives such as prepositioning of equipment and enhancing reception facilities in Europe;
Increase participation by the U.S. Navy in NATO naval force deployments, including more persistent deployments to the Black and Baltic seas;
Build the capacity of close partners such as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to enhance interoperability to work alongside the United States and NATO forces, as well as provide for their own defense.
Ultimately, the European Reassurance Initiative allows the US to continue to take the necessary actions to increase the readiness and responsiveness not only of the US military forces in Europe, but also of NATO allies and partners to address any threat and help deter further destabilizing activities in the region.
The training of the Ukrainian National Guard by the US Army Europe soldiers will start in spring following Kiev’s request, spokesperson for US European Command David Westover said 22 January 2015. “The training, scheduled to begin in spring, comes at the request of the Ukrainian government as they work to reform their police forces and establish their newly formed National Guard,” Westover said adding that the mission is part of a US State Department initiative to assist Ukraine in strengthening its law enforcement capabilities, conducting internal defense, and maintaining rule of law.
The United States said March 09, 2015 some 750 U.S. Army tanks, helicopters, and other equipment had arrived in Riga, Latvia. The Pentagon said the March 9 deployment was a part of the U.S. military's Operation Atlantic Resolve aimed at demonstrating commitment to NATO allies in light of what members of the alliance see as Russia's increasingly aggressive attitude.
The Defense Department said some 3,000 members of a 3rd Infantry Division brigade combat team would begin flowing into the region as part of a three-month deployment. The unit will participate in multinational training missions with NATO partners in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. It will take over responsibility for the training mission from the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Regiment, which will depart this month."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price CPT Jack Durish Capt Tom Brown CMSgt (Join to see) MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) Sgt Albert Castro SSG David Andrews Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. CPL Dave Hoover SGT Mark Halmrast SPC Margaret Higgins PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
![](https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/303/824/qrc/USAREURWebpageheader.png?1530328215)
Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine.
(13)
(0)
SFC James Tihanyi
History does repeat itself! Remember when the Soviet Union deployed missiles and military personnel into Cuba? That almost ended in a catastrophic military engagement. Today we, the US is engaged in the same, reckless, dangerous, provocation, against the people of Russia. What is behind all this, 'Insanity'? Who is promoting this Foreign policy decisions? WHY? I am trying to get some answers. Been reading the work of Professors, WALT, Stephen M. and MEARSHEIMER, John J.; "The ISRAEL LOBBY and US Foreign Policy." Eye opening, observations about the drive of the Zionist Clique to drive a wedge between the world of Islam and Christianity and between Russia and the US/NATO. A must read for us all!!
(1)
(0)
Germany, as well as other nations in Europe and around the world, have enjoyed the best defense at bargain rates. We've paid the tab. Yes, America's defense budget exceeds all others because we're defending far more than just ourselves. Meanwhile, the beneficiaries of our defense largess have been able to invest in infrastructure while ours is showing its age. They have spent fortunes on social benefits such as free health care while we struggle with affordable health care. Asking them to now contribute to their own defense is like taking candy away from a child after it's half eaten. There will be tantrums...
(7)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
Jack, even if we had Germany put 3% of its GDP toward its military, we will never have free healthcare. There is too much at stake period in Canada, I have free healthcare. My wife had an aneurysm and spent three weeks in the hospital after having excellent surgery. I didn't pay anything. Yes, I pay out of my taxes. In the United States, the attorney, litigation, Dr and Pharmaceutical paid lobbies will prevent a single-payer system from happening because there is too much at stake to be lost in a single Health pay system. Obamacare could never pass because litigation is out of control. We are doomed to failure because of the Democrats or Republicans being influenced by big money. This is what happens when attorneys for the DEA go work for the pharmaceutical companies and change the law where the DEA can't prosecute crooked doctors who prescribe millions of pills. Call it a pharmaceutical industrial complex that kills 64,000 people a year. That is more each year than all the casualties from the Vietnam War years combined.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/
![](https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/303/854/qrc/whistleblowermain-1592688-640x360.jpg?1530348219)
Ex-DEA agent: Opioid crisis fueled by drug industry and Congress
Whistleblower Joe Rannazzisi says drug distributors pumped opioids into U.S. communities -- knowing that people were dying -- and says industry lobbyists and Congress derailed the DEA's efforts to stop it. Bill Whitaker reports.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next