FIRST IT WAS ARMOR AND THEN ANTI MISSILE DEFENSE SENT BACKED TO EASTERN COUNTRIES OF THE EU–NOW THE US AIRFORCE TO SEND A SQUADRON OF F-15 TO COUNTER THE RUSSIAN PUTIN OVER THE UKRAINE MADE CRISIS–TO BOLSTER THE SUPPORT OF NATO BY THE PENTAGON AND SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

 

A U.S. army infantry convoy is driving through eastern Europe seeking to provide reassurance to a region concerned that the conflict between Russian-backed rebels and government forces in Ukraine threatens its security.

The U.S. "Dragoon Ride" convoy is attracting interest and greetings from people along its route. It started last week from Estonia and passed through Latvia and Lithuania before entering Poland on Monday.

Flying U.S. flags, dozens of Stryker and other armored vehicles from the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment are driving down the roads on their way back to base in Vilseck, Germany. They took part in the Atlantic Resolve exercise that shows NATO's readiness to defend its members. They will stop in some Polish towns to meet local residents.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/23/us-troops-drive-in-eastern-europe-to-show-defense-readiness.html?comp=7000023467983&rank=4

The U.S. Air Force is sending another rotation of combat aircraft to Europe to bolster security in response to the ongoing Ukraine crisis, this time tapping into the Air National Guard to support strategic interests an ocean away.

Twelve F-15 Eagle fighter jets and about 200 airmen from the 125th Fighter Wing, a Florida Air National Guard unit from Jacksonville, are en route to Europe, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-U.S. Air Forces Africa officials announced Friday. It’s the first Air National Guard theater security package to deploy to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, USAFE officials said.

The unit will operate from several locations in Eastern Europe, including Leeuwarden, Netherlands, and Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria. Leeuwarden is the first stop, Maj. Sheryll Klinkel, USAFE-AFAFRICA spokeswoman, said Friday. The planes will train with NATO allies during the deployment.

The Air National Guard F-15s are the second so-called theater security package to deploy to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the Pentagon’s effort to show its commitment to peace and stability in the region and reassure NATO allies in the wake of Russia’s annexation of the Ukraine territory Crimea last year.

The theater security package “is a strategic capability that allows the Air Force greater flexibil-ity against evolving threats,” Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander, was quoted in a USAFE-AFAFRICA news release.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/03/28/florida-guard-f-15-unit-deploying-to-europe.html?comp=1198882887570&rank=1