ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The Association of the U.S. Army supports America’s Army as it sends soldiers to bolster and assure our NATO allies and partners in Europe.

“At this defining moment in world history, the United States Army stands ready to defend our nation’s security and support our European allies and partners, just as it has for generations,” said retired Gen. Bob Brown, AUSA president and CEO.

While Russia has the combat power it needs to take out Ukraine’s defenses, a potential attack by Russia is not likely going to “be like Pearl Harbor,” a former senior allied commander in Europe said.

Addressing the current standoff at the border of Russia and Ukraine, where more than 100,000 Russian troops are amassed, retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who was supreme allied commander Europe from 1997–2000, said Russia can effectively launch precision strikes.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley on Jan. 28 called for diplomacy and peace as Russia continues to mass “tens of thousands” of troops on its border with Ukraine.

“There is no reason this situation has to devolve into conflict,” Austin said in a briefing with reporters. He added that conflict is not inevitable. “There’s still time and space for diplomacy,” he said.

Milley echoed Austin’s remarks. “Ukraine has the right to be independent. We strongly encourage Russia to stand down,” he said.

Soldiers from units such as the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division are among the 8,500 troops who are on heightened alert over rising tensions in Europe.

Also on alert are elements of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 4th Infantry Division, as well as additional units from Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Hood, Texas; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and Fort Stewart, Georgia, Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said Jan. 27.

Up to 8,500 U.S. troops have been put on heightened alert as tensions continue to rise in Europe over fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

If activated, the troops would support the NATO Response Force, Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said Jan. 24. The alert, directed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, allows for the units to prepare to move quickly if needed, Kirby said.

The U.S. and NATO must continue to strengthen its partnership as the world enters a “period of potential instability,” America’s top uniformed leader said. 

A plan to move almost 12,000 U.S. troops out of Germany, including the Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment, is on hold, President Joe Biden announced Feb. 4.

In a speech at the State Department, Biden said Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will be “leading a global posture review of our forces so that our military footprint is appropriately aligned with our foreign policy and national security priorities.”

He added, “While this review is taking place, we’ll be stopping any planned troop withdrawals from Germany.”

Great-power competition and multidomain operations likely will “pose a challenge” for NATO forces after years of focusing on counterinsurgency operations, according to a paper published jointly by the Association of the U.S. Army and the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.

Western militaries have seen a reduced emphasis on preparing for large-scale warfighting and corps-level operations since the end of the Cold War, but the return of great-power competition is beginning to change that, according to the paper. 

Germany will continue to play an important role deterring Russia and maintaining U.S. and NATO readiness even after the U.S. moves troops out of the country, says a former U.S. Army Europe commander.