/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-infobae.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GL7FNMTJNNHHDOV4H2TZRI6I2M.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1)
The United States Army began the deployment of 20,000 soldiers in Europe to participate in a NATO military exercise called “Defender-Europe 20”. It is the largest landing of US forces on the continent in the last 25 years.
– –
“The exercise will increase strategic preparedness and operability by exercising the ability of the United States Army to quickly move a large combat force of soldiers and equipment from the United States to Europe and, together with allies and partners, respond quickly to a crisis potential “, explained the Pentagon.
– –
The maneuvers constitute “The largest deployment of US troops in Europe in more than 25 years”said the head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, in February. The exercise “It shows the strong commitment of the United States to NATO and to the freedom and security of Europe”he added.
– –
The massive exercises will take place between April and June, mainly in Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries and a total of about 37,000 soldiers will participate from 18 countries
– –
Most of the troops arriving from the United States will land at 7 airports. They include 6,000 units of the National Guard of 15 states. Among the first arrivals in the German port of Bremerhaven were the 2nd Combat Team Brigade and the 3rd Infantry Division; On February 28, the first two motorized columns arrived in Poland. In total, the maneuvers involve 4 ports and 10 European airports.
– –
One of the main objectives is to accelerate the movement of the troops. The general Tod D. Walters, Commander of the US forces in Europe and Supreme Allied Commander on the continent, said that the defenses of Defender Europe 20 will move easily over 4,000 km because “the European Command of the EU, NATO and the United States worked together to improve infrastructure ”.
– –
“Defender-Europe 20 is a great opportunity to demonstrate the incomparable ability of the US armed forces to Quickly project forces around the world while working alongside our allies and partners in multiple domains in dispute”, Explained Charles Flynn, deputy chief of staff of the US Army.
– –
The exercise, which arises amid doubts about whether the United States is still prepared to defend Europe and Trump’s questions to NATO, aroused Russia’s concerns, since it will be developed mostly in the East of the continent, in the countries that once integrated the Warsaw pact.
– –
In February, the chief of staff of the Russian armed forces, Valerij GerasimovHe stated that the massive military exercises carried out by NATO member countries indicate that the Alliance is preparing for a large-scale military conflict. For his part, the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrovrecently said that “It is now clear that NATO has no interest in reducing the tensions that characterize relations with Russia: the Defender 2020 exercises prove it.”
– –
Stoltenberg rejected the Russian accusations. “Defending Europe is not directed against any particular country … This exercise demonstrates the ability to quickly move a large force from the United States to Europe to protect other NATO allies if necessary,” said.
– –
Concern for renewing the role of NATO gained momentum after the annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia in 2014, which aroused fears among members of eastern NATO. Since then the alliance has significantly strengthened its presence in Eastern Europe and created the capacity for rapid deployment of troops in case of conflict.
– –
“Russia has every right to feel safe within its borders, but so do our member states,” Stoltenberg said.
– –
The head of NATO said that the United States had informed Russia and the other members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) about the exercise in accordance with the guidelines on such matters.
– –
Fears for the coronavirus
– –
The exercises also occur while in Europe the coronavirus epidemic. Despite the fears, Stoltenberg said NATO will continue with the scheduled activity.
– –
“There is no cancellation of exercises, but this is something we will evaluate as the situation evolves,” Stoltenberg said in Zagreb last week, where he participated in a meeting of European Union Defense Ministers.
– –
The former Norwegian Prime Minister said that NATO is making contingency plans in case of a significant outbreak and that they are ready to “increase” the efforts and measures they are implementing.
– –
“We are monitoring and following the situation very closely, because this has powerful consequences also for NATO,” Stoltenberg said, explaining that visits to headquarters in Brussels were restricted.
– –
The head of the Alliance stressed that they have “Plans for the continuity of activities”, if many cases of coronavirus were recorded “In the NATO command structure or in the headquarters”.
– –
Italy, the country most affected in Europe by COVID-19 with almost 10,000 cases and more than 400 deaths, currently hosts the submarine warfare exercise NATO Dynamic Blanket, in which 10 allied countries participate.
– –
The Mediterranean country must also host a five-day electronic warfare exercise starting Sunday.
– –
