Elements of the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault have been directed to increase levels of readiness to deploy following a Pentagon announcement Thursday.
According to a news release, other U.S. Army units in the United States and Europe are also on a heightened preparedness to deploy in support of NATO and the security of U.S. citizens abroad. The announcement comes as tensions increase between Russia and Ukraine in eastern Europe.
Major General JP McGee, the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division says, “As we have for the last 77 years, the 101st Airborne Division stands ready to deploy anywhere to support and defend the Nation and our Allies.”
As one of the U.S. military’s contingency response forces, the 101st Airborne has units ready to deploy worldwide on short notice to conduct a range of military operations from humanitarian assistance to combat capabilities.