ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

As the war in Ukraine grinds on and emerging global threats persist, strong relationships with European allies and partners are more important now than ever, two senior U.S. Army leaders said at a summit of U.S. and European land force leaders.

“One of the biggest takeaways that I had was that they all understand that a regional conflict has global implications,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said June 23 at the conclusion of the 30th annual Conference of European Armies held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

As it looks for lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, the U.S. military should take stock of its preparedness for large-scale conflict and act decisively to remedy any shortfalls, according to a new paper from the Association of the U.S. Army.

“The Russia-Ukraine War One Year In: Implications for the U.S. Army,” published as part of AUSA’s Spotlight series, highlights several observations after a year of brutal fighting in Ukraine and discusses how the U.S. Army can prepare for the future.

American soldiers continue to reassure NATO allies and partners in Europe as the war in Ukraine grinds on and the potential for miscalculation continues to threaten the region.

Speaking one day after a missile strike killed two people in Poland, Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville warned that a regional conflict carries global implications.

A supplemental military budget request from the White House to Congress seeks additional funding for Army programs, all aimed at operations in Europe.

The request sent Nov. 16 includes a $3 billion boost in operation and maintenance funds for personnel support, which includes extra flying hours, maintenance, weapons systems sustainment, intelligence analysis and other unit support costs that weren’t included in the budget submitted to Congress earlier in the year.

The war in Ukraine illuminates several important features of the Russian military and warfare, according to the author of a new paper published by the Association of the U.S. Army.

As they observe the brutal Russia-Ukraine war from the sidelines, U.S. Army units in Europe have been making moves to update components, become more combat-effective and better integrate with allies on their “home turf.”

The Army’s security force assistance brigades are helping the service extend its reach and presence around the globe, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

While the Army remains busy supporting Ukraine and America’s NATO partners, the force has not let go of its focus on other hot spots around the world, Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said.

“We’re a global organization,” McConville said Sept. 7. “We have to be able to do more than one thing at once.”

Speaking at an event hosted by Defense One, McConville said this includes boots on the ground in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and elsewhere, all while supporting defense of the homeland.