U.S. Deploys Military Equipment in Romania
About 70 pieces of U.S. military equipment will arrive in Romania from Germany today to support Operation Atlantic Resolve, a Pentagon statement confirmed Monday.
According to Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, other equipment will arrive in Bulgaria and Lithuania later in December.
The gear will be used in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve training and exercises that demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the collective defense of NATO allies.
[ Can Barack Obama Keep U.S. Safe? ]
It is a significant move, as NATO is actively reviewing its relations with Russia expecting a counteroffensive from Russia after its warplane was shot down by NATO ally Turkey.
The U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter had announced during a trip to Estonia earlier this year that the U.S. will temporarily stage enough vehicles and associated equipment in Central and Eastern Europe to support an armored brigade combat team.
[ Is Islam the Common Enemy of All Religions? ]
According to Davis, the placement allows U.S. rotational forces in the region to move more quickly and easily to participate in training and exercises.
The equipment in Romania will be the first set arriving in that country. The items are part of the European Activity Set (EAS), which includes some 12,000 pieces of equipment, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery. The EAS equipment will be moved around the region for training and exercises.
Carter also announced earlier this year that Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania agreed to host company- to battalion-sized elements of EAS equipment. Germany already hosts EAS equipment.
