Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has placed 8,500 U.S. service members to heightened preparedness for deployment related to Russia's provocations along its border with Ukraine, DoD Press Secretary John F. Kirby said from the Pentagon on Jan. 24. The order highlights America's commitment to NATO and its common defense. The 8,500 troops are based in the United States and would be part of the NATO Response Force, if that unit is activated. The NATO force is a 40,000 multinational, multidomain command, but has not yet been activated. The U.S. personnel are being told (Jan. 24) of the heightened preparedness to deploy. What units affected will be released once personnel and their families are informed, Kirby said. (Source: DoD 01/24/22)
UPDATE: WASHINGTON - The U.S. may send more troops to Eastern Europe in addition to the 8,500 already placed on high alert, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Jan. 25, a day after announcing roughly 8,500 U.S.-based troops are being told to be ready to deploy within five days, if called upon to join NATO forces in response to Russian troop amassing around Ukraine. Plans are still in flux, the retired flag officer and former Blue Angels public affairs officer he said Jan. 25. The U.S. remains “in active consultations" with allies/partners about capabilities they may need. “I'm not going to rule out the possibility" of decision(s) given for additional units at home or abroad, Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon. (Source: Stars & Stripes 01/25/22)
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