Pentagon Puts 8500 Troops on alert for NATO – Contemplates New Force Positioning

Video Above: F-35s to Europe

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

Faced with the possibility of an immediate Russian invasion of Ukraine, US and NATO leaders are moving quickly to adjust their deterrence posture and move assets into position to respond if needed to Russian aggression.

Troops on Alert

As part of this, the Pentagon has placed as many as 8,500 troops on alert to “ready themselves for a rapid deployment if called upon,” a Pentagon report stated. While the forces are at the moment still inside the US, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the forces would be assigned to the NATO Response Force. Decisions about if and when they deploy is a decision which will be made by NATO, Kirby said.

“We are increasing the alert posture on quite a number of U.S. troops here, stateside, as well as taking a look at what could possibly be moved around on the European continent,” Kirby said

Force positioning within Eastern Europe could have quite an impact and countries look to fortify or reinforce their borders in preparation for Russian aggression. This could be an important alternative to actually moving armored units and large ground forces into Ukraine as an invasion response force, something which could be seen as provocative and put the US and NATO on a collision course with Russia. 

However, increasing heavy land force presence in other European countries within reach of Ukraine seems like a feasible and intelligent option. Poland could reinforce its borders with substantial US and NATO assets in the form of ground troops, tanks and fighter aircraft in position to respond. Alongside any need to send a message of deterrence to Russia regarding Ukraine, any US and allied maneuvers in Eastern Europe could naturally be aimed at protecting other countries from falling prey to Russian threats should Ukraine fall into Russian hands.