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Vigilant Presence

A comprehensive examination of Operation Atlantic Resolve, detailing the United States' strategic military deployments and deterrence efforts in Eastern Europe.

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Operation Overview

A Strategic Response

Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR) encompasses a series of military activities initiated by the United States in direct response to Russian military operations in Ukraine, particularly the conflict in Donbas.[1] This enduring commitment to regional security is financially supported by the European Deterrence Initiative, underscoring a long-term strategic posture.

Enhancing NATO's Eastern Flank

Following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, the United States and the United Kingdom swiftly implemented measures to bolster the deterrence capabilities along NATO's eastern border.[1] These actions included a significant augmentation of air, ground, and naval presence, alongside the enhancement of pre-scheduled military exercises. The overarching goal is to reinforce NATO's defense plans and maintain a consistent military presence across Central and Eastern Europe.[1]

Rotational Command Structure

The various rotations and deployments under Operation Atlantic Resolve are meticulously managed and overseen by a dedicated, regionally aligned headquarters. This structure ensures continuous coordination and responsiveness to the evolving geopolitical landscape in the European theater.[2][3]

Operational Origins

The 2014 Genesis

Operation Atlantic Resolve commenced on April 30, 2014, as an immediate response to Russia's illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula on March 18, 2014.[4] This initial phase involved the deployment of United States Army and Air Force personnel to Poland and the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) for bilateral military exercises with partner nations, distinct from a broader NATO action.[4][5]

Initial Airborne Deployments

The initial force comprised approximately 150 soldiers, organized into four companies, from the 173rd Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) based in Vicenza, Italy. These ground forces were supported by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) from the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron out of Vilseck, Germany.[4] Troop transport was facilitated by the USAF's 37th Airlift Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.[4][5]

Transition to Formal Operations

These four companies underwent ninety-day rotations until the end of 2014, at which point a more formalized and structured version of Operation Atlantic Resolve was officially established. This transition marked a shift from immediate, ad-hoc responses to a sustained, strategic presence in the region.[4][5]

Airborne Operations

Air Force Contributions

Aerial assets are strategically deployed across various air bases in Europe, including ร„mari Air Base, Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Mihail Kogฤƒlniceanu Air Base, Papa Air Base, and Illesheim Army Airfield. These bases serve as critical hubs for maintaining air superiority and providing rapid response capabilities.

Key Air Force units and their aircraft deployed under OAR:

  • 159th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS) with F-15C Eagles (April 2015, six months)[8]
  • 123d EFS with F-15C/D Eagles (April 2015, six months)[8]
  • 354th EFS (355th Fighter Wing) with 12 x A-10C Thunderbolt IIs (Feb-July 2015)[9][10]
  • 303d EFS (442nd Fighter Wing) with 8 x A-10C Thunderbolt IIs (Aug 2015 at Amari)[10]
  • 74th EFS (23d Fighter Group) with 12 x A-10C Thunderbolt IIs (Sep 2015-Mar 2016)[10][11]
  • 131st EFS (104th Fighter Wing) with F-15Cs (Apr-Sep 2016)[12]
  • 194th EFS (144th Fighter Wing) with F-15C/Ds (from Apr 2016)[12]
  • 163d EFS (122d Fighter Wing) with A-10C Thunderbolt IIs (until Aug 2016)[13]
  • 303d EFS (442nd Fighter Wing) with A-10C Thunderbolt IIs (from Jul 2016)[14]
  • 120th EFS (140th Wing) with F-16C Fighting Falcons (Jul-Aug 2016)[13]
  • 493d EFS (48th Fighter Wing) with F-15Cs (Aug-Sep 2016)[15]
  • 194th EFS (144th Fighter Wing) with F-15Cs (Aug-Sep 2016)[15]
  • 159th EFS (125th Fighter Wing) with F-15Cs (until Aug 2017)[16]
  • 122d EFS (159th Fighter Wing) with F-15Cs (until Aug 2017)[16]
  • 112th EFS (180th Fighter Wing) with F-16s (from Jan 2018)[17]
  • 457th EFS (301st Fighter Wing) with F-16s (from Apr 2019)[18]

The Roadmarch

Operation Dragoon Ride

In March 2015, a significant demonstration of military mobility and presence occurred with the "Dragoon Ride." This operation involved a convoy of U.S. Army armored fighting vehicles, including Strykers, returning by road to their garrison in Vilseck, Germany, after completing maneuvers in Poland, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania.[6] The road march commenced approximately one week after its announcement.[7]

A Visible Deterrent

The Dragoon Ride served as a highly visible manifestation of the United States' commitment to its NATO allies and partners in Eastern Europe. By traversing public roads through multiple countries, the convoy underscored the ability to rapidly deploy and maneuver heavy military assets across the region, sending a clear message of reassurance and deterrence.

Ground Assets

Armored Brigade Rotations

Since January 2017, the ground component of Operation Atlantic Resolve has featured continuous nine-month rotations of U.S. Army armored brigades. These brigades, typically comprising around 3,500 troops, 87 tanks, and 144 Bradley fighting vehicles, initially gather in Poland before dispersing across seven countries, from Estonia to Bulgaria.[24] The equipment is permanently stationed in ลปagaล„, western Poland, alongside a Polish armored division.[25]

Notable ground unit rotations include:

  • 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division: January 2017[24]
  • 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division: Replaced in September 2017[26]
  • 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division: From May 2018[27]
  • 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division: Completed rotation October 2019[28]
  • 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division: Replaced 1st ABCT, 1st ID in October 2019[28]
  • 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division: Replaced 2nd ABCT, 1st CAV around Nov/Dec 2020
  • 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division: Replaced 1st ABCT, 1st CAV in August 2021

Additionally, on September 4, 2020, the 2nd Battalion of the 69th Armor Regiment, part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Division, deployed to Pabradฤ—, Lithuania, with M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and other essential equipment for training.[29]

Army Aviation Brigades

Aviation assets play a crucial role in providing aerial support, reconnaissance, and rapid transport capabilities across the operational area. These units rotate regularly to maintain readiness and integrate with ground forces.

Key Army aviation brigade rotations include:

  • Task Force Brawler, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade: March 2015 to November 2015
  • Task Force Spearhead, 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade: November 2015 to August 2016
  • Task Force Apocalypse, 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Combat Aviation Brigade: August 2016 to March 2017
  • 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division: March 2017 to October 2017[19] (including 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment with 25 AH-64s and 400 soldiers)
  • 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division: October 2017 to July 2018
  • 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division: July 2018 to March 2019[20]
  • 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division: March 2019 to November 2019[21]
  • 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division: November 2019 to July 2020[21][22]
  • 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division: July 2020 to March 2021[23]
  • 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division: March 2021 to December 2021
  • 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division: December 2021 to September 2022
  • Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (United States): September 2022 to May 2023
  • 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division: May 2023 to February 2024

Command and Control Evolution

On March 8, 2022, V Corps' main headquarters forward deployed to Germany. This strategic move was undertaken to enhance the command and control capabilities for U.S. Army forces operating in Europe, forming part of a broader personnel buildup in direct response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This deployment signifies an adaptive and robust command structure to manage the increased operational tempo and complexity in the region.

Geopolitical Reactions

Allied Support

The deployments under Operation Atlantic Resolve have garnered significant support from allied nations. An opinion poll conducted by the independent STEM agency in 2015 revealed that 82% of Czech citizens approved of and supported the U.S. Army-NATO convoy during Operation Dragoon Ride.[30] Similarly, Polish officials and the public warmly welcomed a NATO deployment in early January 2017, viewing it as a necessary countermeasure to Russian military exercises near their border and Russia's intervention in Ukraine.[31][32][33][34]

German Perspectives

In Germany, the same January 2017 deployment elicited mixed reactions. While the country's ruling CDU/CSU coalition and German military officials defended the necessity of the deployment, it also sparked protests and drew critical responses from center-left political parties.[35][36] This highlights the complex domestic political considerations surrounding international military operations.

Information Warfare

The deployment also became a subject of information warfare. An article published by the Donbas News International (DNI) agency, which subsequently circulated within Western conspiracy-theory and Russian media spheres, was cited as a prime example of the creation and dissemination of "fake news."[37] This incident underscores the challenges of maintaining factual narratives in a highly charged geopolitical environment. An editorial from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette further cautioned against the instrumentalization of such deployments for domestic political gain.[38]

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References

References

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