An M1A2 Abrams main battle tank of the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team now deployed to Poland fires its 120 mm gun. (Photo : US Army)
Russia's worst fear -- combat ready U.S. troops at its doorstep -- became a tactical reality with the start of joint ground warfare exercises by U.S. troops newly arrived in Poland and the Polish Land Forces.
Joint exercises with the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) are also in the cards. Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary will all also see US troops deployed on their soil.
The arrival of the U.S. troops makes it certain any Russian invasion of the these NATO states and allies will be transformed into a world war, a conflict Russia is not prepared to fight since it lacks the resources to do so.
On Jan. 13, the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (BCT) belonging to the U.S. 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado rumbled into Poland from Germany, heralding the largest U.S. military deployment in Europe since the end of the Cold War in 1991.
Over the next few months, 3,500 men of the BCT; 87 M1A2 of its Abrams main battle tanks; 144 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and 2,500 other vehicles of the 3rd BCT will be deployed to Poland. The move of the U.S. Army to the doorstep of Russia seeks to deter wanton Russian aggression in Eastern Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Russia has repeatedly threatened Poland and the Baltic States with invasion in the past.
"Russian aggression takes many forms," said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, Commanding General, United States Army Europe.
"Cyber, misinformation, threatening other countries, Russian snap exercises. We're serious -- this is not just a training exercise. It's to demonstrate a strategic message that you cannot violate the sovereignty of members of NATO ... Moscow will get the message -- I'm confident of it. "
Most of the men and equipment of the 3rd BCT will be deployed across Poland. Others will go to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary to train with local troops.
"To arrive at this point so swiftly is proof that when we work as a team ... no challenge is too large to overcome, no distance is too far to cross, when the need arises," said U.S. Army Col. Christopher Norrie, who led the convoy.
"The main goal of our mission is deterrence and prevention of threats."
He described the new mission as a "cornerstone" to preserving freedom across Europe.
Maj. Gen. Jaroslaw Mika of the Polish Land Forces, whose soldiers will be training with some of the 3rd BCT's 3,500 troops, said he's thrilled the Americans are here.
He said it's important to "be together, to build our common relationship and to provide more security" -- not only for Europe but the world.
Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said on the state TV that the NATO deployment puts an end to Russia's influence in the region.
"Even after 1989 we had to continuously wonder whether the Russians won't veto this or that action," said Macierewicz.
"Russia's veto power in Central Europe, in Poland, has ended once and for all."
The British will also be deploying to Russia's western border with Europe.
A few days ago, the combined US and Polish forces began training with tanks, artillery and helicopters in an overt show of force aimed at a watching Russia.
