2023-07-14 13:25:00
Biden authorizes the Pentagon to send up to 3,000 reserve forces to Europe amid the war in Ukraine
The Pentagon is seen from the air over Washington on March 3, 2022. Credit: Joshua Roberts/Archyde.com
US President Joe Biden authorized the Pentagon on Thursday to send up to 3,000 reserve forces to Europe as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.
The United States has more than 100,000 service members in Europe, a number that has grown since the invasion of Russia began in February 2022.
Under the new authorization, the reservists would be part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the ongoing rotating deployments bolstering NATO and its eastern flank. The newly signed executive order designates Operation Atlantic Resolve as a contingency operation, providing reservists with the same benefits as active duty service members.
No US soldiers are directly involved in the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv is not currently a member of the NATO alliance.
“This new designation benefits troops and families with increases in authorities, rights, and access to Reserve component forces and personnel,” said Joint Chiefs of Staff Director of Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims. at a press conference.
The move gives the Department of Defense another option to send more capabilities to help the US European Command. However, a defense official said it would likely take regarding six months to send these reservists to the area due to the advance notice required. .
The attached troops would likely work in logistics and maintenance, or in medical fields like dentistry and health care, roles that the reserves typically have more than the active duty force.
Since 2014, US forces have deployed to Europe under Atlantic Resolve to work with allies and partners in the region. Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder added that the new designation will allow the Department of Defense to “provide better system support and sustain our forces.”
“(E)This includes things like increased hiring responsiveness, personnel-related entitlements that give activated reservists the same benefits as active component personnel,” he stated. “It also enhances our ability to track expenses directly associated with this contingency.”
The decree approving the mobilization of more forces gives officials the ability to call on soldiers “to come support Atlantic Resolve and, as I just highlighted, are entitled to the same type of benefits as their active duty counterparts.” .
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