US Deploys Additional F-35 Fighters and Apache Helicopters to Eastern Europe, Sends Troops

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The United States has decided to deploy F-35 fighter jets and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to Eastern Europe and to send hundreds of additional troops in relation to the Ukraine crisis.

On the 22nd (local time), according to the Washington Post (WP) and others, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of 800 troops from the 173rd Airborne Brigade stationed in Vicenza, Italy, to the Baltic region as part of President Joe Biden's plan to reposition forces within Europe.

He also announced that 20 AH-64 Apache helicopters would be moved from Germany to the Baltic, 12 Apache helicopters would be relocated from Greece to Poland, and up to eight F-35 fighter jets would be deployed to NATO's eastern operational area.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated, "The additional troop deployment is intended to reaffirm NATO alliances, deter potential attacks against NATO member countries, and to reposition forces for garrison and training purposes." The Department added that this measure is temporary and involves some of the 90,000 U.S. troops stationed at U.S. European Command.

Earlier, President Biden defined Russia's invasion of Ukraine as having begun and announced the first sanctions against Russia. He approved moving U.S. troops and equipment from other parts of Europe closer to the Baltic coastal countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, i.e., Eastern Europe, emphasizing, "The United States will defend NATO territory thoroughly together with its allies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.