Pentagon reconsidering troop levels in Europe amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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A paratrooper assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, introduces a Polish soldier to an M249 light machine gun during a training event in Zamość, Poland, Feb. 28, 2022. (Sgt. Claudia Nix/Army)

When the year began, there were about 80,000 U.S. troops based in Europe, either permanently stationed or participating in heel-to-toe rotations from bases stateside. But as Russia amassed more troops on Ukraine’s border and then launched a full-on invasion in late February, the number of Americans posted along NATO’s eastern front has swelled to more than 90,000.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Lt Col Charlie Brown SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. SGT Charlie Lee PO2 Marco Monsalve SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] SSG William Jones Sgt (Join to see) 1SG Dan Capri CDR Andrew McMenamin, PhD MAJ Bob Miyagishima SrA John Monette SPC Nancy Greene SGT Mark Anderson LTC (Join to see) SGT James Murphy SGT Damaso V Santana