Update: 4,700 soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division are heading to Europe to replace the Airborne Forces in the 82nd Ukrainian response

Update, 5 p.m.: Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said the 101st Airborne Forces bound for Europe will replace the 82nd Airborne Forces returning to the United States.

“These deployments are one-to-one replacements, leaving our overall force position in the region – about 100,000 – unchanged,” he said at a Pentagon briefing. “The units being replaced will return to their original stations after a proper turnover of responsibilities.”

The headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division will replace the headquarters of the 82nd Airborne Division in the European Command’s area of ​​responsibility. This will include 500 soldiers.

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Brigade will deploy approximately 4,200 soldiers to replace the 82nd Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team in Poland.

Previously:

Clarksville, Tennessee (Clarksville now) – Elements of the 101st Airborne Division were ordered to Europe to support NATO’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The 101st Command and 2nd Brigade Combat Team have been notified to begin moving into Europe as soon as this summer, according to a Pentagon announcement Friday afternoon.

These units will join the V Corps in support of the United States’ commitment to Europe and NATO allies.

“Over the past six months, we have conducted two division-level training exercises, which have significantly increased the readiness of our soldiers, units and families,” Major General J.P. McGee, commanding general of the 101st Division, said in a press release. “As we have done for the past 80 years, the 101st Airborne is ready to deploy anywhere to support and defend the nation and our allies.

“The contributions and sacrifices that our families make to support our soldiers are critical to our success,” McGee said. “They are an integral part of the Screaming Eagle team and we are committed to supporting them as they roll out.

“Since D-Day, June 6, 1944, this division has repeatedly answered the nation’s call in every major conflict,” McGee said. “Once again, the screeching eagles are heading to Europe. The eagles roaring today are ready to support our allies to maintain the long-term stability in Europe that our ancestors fought and died to secure.”