The Pentagon began to throw heavy machinery at four points in Europe that are defined as part of the NATO operation “Atlantic reserve”, designed to “reassure allies in the aggression of Russia”.
This is the largest military strengthening of NATO to the borders with Russia since the cold war.
Four point located in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Mainly, we are talking about the same structures that were used during the cold war. The location of the 1600 pieces of heavy equipment in the complex Eigelshoven, 500 thousand square meters, counting nine warehouses with controlled temperature and humidity levels, has already begun. Armor includes M1 Abrams tanks, combat vehicles Bradley and self-propelled howitzers M109 paladin. Abrams and Bradley delivered in combat equipment in accordance with instructions given if you need a fast reaction in case of crisis. Dutch store is located at the former military base Eygelshoven near Kerkrade. Opened in 1985 as a subsidiary base of the American army in case of a possible invasion of the Soviet Union in Europe, she was eliminated in 2006. From September this year, the Pentagon formally again come into possession of this base. Four storage guaranteed USA quick accessibility 6 thousand units of heavy equipment. The concept, called Army Prepositioned Stocks (pre-positioning of weapons) provides for the distribution of military reserves in strategic locations around the world with the aim of reducing the rate of reaction during possible emergency situations at the global level. Each warehouse is supported by a team of supply troops, which ensures the upgrading of warehouses and the necessary auxiliary equipment for stockpiled resources. Program in advance of the warehouses managed by the logistics Team, which confirms that the important point is the storage of military equipment shall be equipped in Livorno. According to some, it is possible to compare the movement of U.S. equipment in Europe with a new stage of Advance storage of material resources in departments sets (POMCUS). It meant the advance storage of military material to West Germany during the cold war.
At the moment the USA have in Europe by two brigades on the basis of the 173rd air brigade Second cavalry regiment.
Armored vehicles in Europe, US
Full armoured brigade on the basis of the seven battalions will arrive in Poland in January of the following year. The first battalion formed from M1 Abrams tanks, will cover the Baltic region between Estonia and Latvia. The second battalion of M1 Abrams will work in Germany. Two battalions of mechanized infantry equipped with Bradley M-2 and Abrams are maintained in the Romanian and Bulgarian regions. The command of the brigade will be located in Poland, together with two other battalions: the first cavalry and the second field artillery with self-propelled howitzers M-109 paladin. Replacement guard will be located in the Polish town of Orzysz, near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. In the midst of the cold war, Germany accepted 20 U.S. armored divisions, almost 6 thousand tanks. After the cold war began a gradual withdrawal of U.S. heavy equipment undertaken until 2013, when the number reached 29 Abrams tanks and 33 Bradley. Power equal to 60% of the air brigade of the tenth mountain division, the new York garrison of Fort Drum will reach Germany by March next year. About 1750 soldiers and 60 aircraft, including the CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Blackhawk and Medevac helicopters will be in shifts to work in Latvia, Romania and Poland. Overall, nearly 6 thousand American soldiers will arrive in Europe in the next four months.
English battalion in Estonia
France will send to Estonia 300 soldiers and five tanks of the third generation Leclerc, in addition to an unspecified number VBCI. French soldiers will be included in the British battalion, begins to operate in Estonia in the spring of next year. London will send 800 soldiers, four tanks Challenger 2 and unspecified number of infantry fighting vehicles Warrior, probably in heavy 30-ton version. Logistics will provide Denmark. The battalion will be located on the basis of Tapa in the North-East of Estonia, a former Soviet defense structure is acquired by the armed forces of Estonia in the 90-ies. France and Estonia in may of this year we have even signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the sphere of notification.
German battalion in Lithuania
Germany will send to Lithuania the formation of the Leopard 2 tanks. The staff of the battalion will consist of thousands of soldiers, 450-650 of them from Germany. The rest of 300-500 soldiers will be United with the French, the Belgians and the Croats.
Canadian battalion in Latvia
The NATO battalion under canadian command will be placed in Latvia by January next year. The staff will consist of nearly a thousand soldiers from Canada (450), Albania, Italy (140-160), Poland and Slovenia.
Four battalions to be replaced by and act under the auspices of NATO. The command and control of troops will take over the Supreme staff of allied forces in Europe. It will determine the logistics of those countries that will not be able to accommodate the battalion.
Four battalions cannot and should not be considered an effective deterrent, given that thousands of Russian soldiers and hundreds of armored vehicles can reach the capitals of the Baltic States within 60 hours. NATO confirmed the presence of the rapid reaction force, consisting of 40 thousand soldiers and further formations that can be moved to the Baltic States and Poland. The composition of these forces is not yet determined, but it is entirely plausible that they would be brought into readiness.
