M1 Abrams tanks assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conduct vehicle movements at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany in 2022. The unit is returning to Europe to replace the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st ABCT, as part of a regular rotation of forces to the Continent. (Christian Carrillo/U.S. Army)
STUTTGART, Germany — A mix of U.S. Army units will deploy to Europe this winter, taking up position in Poland and other areas as part of a troop rotation focused on shoring up NATO’s eastern flank, the service announced.
The moves involve an armored brigade, aviation and artillery units, and a division headquarters.
The Fort Stewart, Ga.-based 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and its 3,500 soldiers are the centerpiece of the latest Europe rotation.
The “Raider” brigade’s deployment is expected to begin in January, the Army said in a statement Friday.
While Poland has traditionally served as the main hub for rotating armored brigades, the unit is expected to take part in drills across Europe.
“Raider is ready and willing to take on this vital mission,” Col. James Armstrong, the brigade commander, said in the statement. “We have trained hard, and we have no doubt in our ability to answer the nation’s call.”
The tank brigade will replace the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
In other moves, 1st Armored Division Headquarters will replace the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters, now based in Poland, as part of a regular rotation of forces this winter, the Army said.
In the years since Russia’s initial 2014 military intervention in Ukraine, Poland has become the center of gravity for operations in Europe focused on deterring potential aggression from the east.
Meanwhile, the 1st Armored Division Artillery will replace the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery, which has been operating out of Latvia.
The 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade will replace the 1st Cavalry Division Combat Aviation Brigade, which has worked in Poland and other locations in Europe.
Also in the coming winter, the 101st Airborne Division Combat Aviation Brigade will deploy to the Middle East on a rotational mission that will have them replace the 10th Mountain Division Combat Aviation Brigade, the Army said.
The Army did not say precisely where those forces would be operating, but U.S. Central Command oversees military activities in Iraq, Syria and beyond.
