US primes airborne divisions for possible deployment in Europe

Story by  ATV | Posted by  sabir hussain • 2 Years ago
US Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby.
US Defense Department spokesperson John Kirby.

 

Washington

Several US Army airborne divisions are among the military units placed on high alert for possible deployment to Eastern Europe should the situation over Ukraine escalates, the US Defense Department said.

"These units include elements of the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, which regularly maintains high readiness, as well as elements of the 18th Airborne Corps who are also based at Fort Bragg," Defense Department Kirby said during a press briefing on Thursday.

"Additionally, from Fort Campbell, elements of the 101st Airborne Division and from Fort Carson, Colorado, elements of the Fourth Infantry Division have been placed on increased readiness."

Kirby said that other units placed on high alert are located at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Fort Hood, McChord Air Force Base, Fort Polk, Robins Air Force Base, Fort Stewart, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, among others.

These military units include aviation support, logistics support, medical support, and combat formations.

US President Joe Biden said earlier this week that he does not intend to send any US forces to Ukraine.

Moscow has repeatedly dismissed claims by the United States and its European allies, including Kyiv, alleging that Russia plans to invade Ukraine.

Russia has warned that NATO's actions near its borders represent a national security threat and it reserves the right to move troops within its own sovereign territory.