In the future, the US Department of Defense may activate up to 3,000 reservists for deployment in Europe. An executive order signed by President Joe Biden said it was necessary to expand active duty forces to carry out the Atlantic Resolve mission.
The US military launched the mission after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 with the stated goal of strengthening NATO allies by rotating combat-ready units to NATO’s eastern flank.
The European Command of the US Armed Forces (EUCOM) said after the president’s order that this would not change US forces in Europe. It’s not about additional troops, Lieutenant General Douglas Sims said.
Relief of soldiers on active duty in Europe
Instead, reservists could in the future take over tasks previously performed by military personnel in an active unit. It was not clear whether this meant that the reservists could serve as a kind of replacement for active military personnel in Europe. The US Department of Defense also said it is ultimately up to the EUCOM commander to determine how to use the new powers.
Defense of NATO’s eastern flank
Lieutenant General Sims said the move underlined the US’s continued support and commitment to the defense of NATO’s eastern flank in the wake of Russia’s “illegal and unprovoked war against Ukraine”.
News magazine Politico wrote after the announcement that the move indicated how much the US Army’s training mission in Europe and the deployment of several new brigades following the Russian invasion of Ukraine demanded of active forces. The Washington Post came to a similar conclusion.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
