The secretary of defense has ordered an additional 3,000 soldiers from Fort Bragg to deploy to Poland, according to a senior defense official.
President Joe Biden directed to send the remaining 3,000 soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Fort Bragg to Poland.
The senior defense official said the soldiers will join the 1,700 troops already set for Poland to assist NATO allies.
"All told, these 5,000 additional personnel comprise a highly mobile and flexible force, capable of multiple missions," the official said to major news outlets. "They are being deployed to reassure our NATO allies, deter any potential aggression against NATO’s eastern flank, train with host-nation forces, and contribute to a wide range of contingencies. They will report to Gen. Tod Wolters, Commander, U.S. European Command."
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced on Friday that the rise of a Russia invasion of Ukraine has risen. He said that they believe Russian President Vladimir Putin could order an invasion of Ukraine at any time, even before the end of the Beijing Olympics.
Fort Bragg troops started to deploy to Europe on Feb. 3. According to U.S. officials, these are not permanent moves for the troops.
PHOTO CREDIT: More paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division make their way to the terminal after arriving on a C-17 Globemaster aircraft at Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport, Poland Feb. 8. In coordination with the Polish Ministry of Defense and Polish government the nearly 2,000 Soldiers are deploying to support the United States’ decision to increase its presence and activities in the Eastern Flank as part of strong and unremitting commitment to our NATO Allies and partners. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Angel D. Martinez-Navedo)