FORT HOOD, Texas — About 160 Fort Hood soldiers on Monday deployed to Europe to support U.S. allies and partners as Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine.
The Texas soldiers, from Fort Hood’s III Armored Corps, are part of the 7,000 U.S. military personnel headed to Europe to aid the recently announced NATO Response Force.
“Our soldiers are trained and ready,” said Col. Matthew Ruedi, the 13th ESC deputy commanding officer. “Elements of our heavy transportation company have deployed to Europe to reassure NATO allies, deter Russian aggression, and are prepared to support a range of other operations in the region.”
President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts in late February agreed to send thousands of troops, backed by air and naval support, to protect allies near Russia and Ukraine in response to President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade.
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, U.S. General Tod D. Wolters, said the new contributions “represent a flexible, combat credible force that can be employed in multiple ways and we are utilizing fully their inherent agility.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.