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U.S. Army Europe
U.S. 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Soldiers successfully complete a river crossing at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 11, 2020. Exercise Allied Spirit, a DEFENDER-Europe 20 linked exercise, originally scheduled for May, takes place at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 15-19, 2020. Approximately 6,000 U.S. and Polish Soldiers are taking part in the exercise. The modified exercise will test a division-sized unit's ability to conduct a deliberate water crossing, integrate with alliance capabilities, and establish a common intelligence operation picture. The exercise, modified in response to COVID-19, operates in accordance with the guidance directed by DoD and host nations. All U.S. Soldiers and civilians involved in the exercise completed a 14-day quarantine and were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival with additional health screenings if necessary. For more information about Allied Spirit and DEFENDER-Europe, visit www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke)
Photo by: Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke
The sixth armored and aviation rotations in support of Atlantic Resolve are set to begin their training efforts next month.
Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe has led the Department of Defense’s Atlantic Resolve land efforts by bringing U.S.-based units to Europe for nine-month rotations.
The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, assumes the Atlantic Resolve mission from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, July 1. The 2ABCT is already in Europe, originally arriving in February to participate in exercise DEFENDER-Europe 20. Due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions, it became necessary to adjust deployments and the unit stayed in Europe.
The armored rotation has approximately 3,500 Soldiers and approximately 85 Abrams tanks; 125 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles; 40 M1068 Standard Integrated Command Post System Carriers, 15 M109A6 Paladin 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers, 10 M7 Bradley Fire Support Vehicles, 15 M1064 Self-propelled 120mm Mortar Carriers, and other support equipment.
"The Soldiers, leaders, and families of the Spartan brigade are proud to assume this mission and look forward to executing our role to the highest standards," said Col. Patrick O’Neal, 2ABCT commander.
The 101st Airborne Division Combat Aviation Brigade, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade. Soldiers with the 101st begin to arrive in Germany in late June. Their equipment is scheduled to arrive in July at the ports of La Rochelle, France, and Alexandroupoli, Greece.
The 101st Soldiers will be screened for COVID-19 prior to departure from the U.S., and upon arrival at Nuremburg, Germany. They will then move to Grafenwoher Training Area for in-processing, COVID-19 testing and for two weeks of quarantine prior to traveling. The Soldiers will then proceed to the ports in France and Greece where they’ll collect their equipment and proceed to various countries for multinational training with NATO allies and partners.
The aviation rotation will deploy with approximately 2,000 personnel, 50 UH-60 and HH-60 Black Hawks, 4 CH-47 Chinooks, 25 AH-64 Apaches and more than 1,800 wheeled vehicles and pieces of equipment.
"With a proud legacy of heroic action in Europe, the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade is proud to provide superior aviation support to Atlantic Resolve," said Col. Matthew Weinshel, commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. "Our Wings of Destiny Soldiers remain ready to accomplish any mission our nation asks of them. We look forward to working with our allies and partners."
The deployment of ready, combat-credible U.S. forces to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve is evidence of the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe. Through bilateral, joint and multinational training, Atlantic Resolve builds readiness, increases interoperability and enhances the bond between ally and partner militaries. For more information, visit www.eur.army.mil/AtlanticResolve.
