WASHINGTON, D.C., July 14, 2023—Through an executive order, President Joe Biden on Thursday, July 13, authorize the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to mobilize 3,000 reserve troops for Operation Atlantic Resolve to increase support the United States European Command.
“I hereby determine that it is necessary to augment the active Armed Forces of the United States for the effective conduct of Operation Atlantic Resolve in and around the United States European Command’s area of responsibility,” the executive order reads.
Operation Atlantic Resolve provides rotational deployments of combat-credible forces to Europe specifically in response to Russian aggression. The operation was funded under the European Deterrence Initiative since 2014, just three months after the Russian Annexation of Crimea. Its headquarters is based in Poznan, Poland and currently overseas approximately 6,000 soldiers at any given time. Biden’s executive order would increase this number to 9,000 troops.
“This [executive order] reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment to defend NATO‘s eastern flank in the wake of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine,” said Army Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, Joint Staff director of operations, during a press briefing Thursday.
No more than 450 of the 3,000 troops authorized by Biden may be members of the Individual Ready Reserve, which consists of trained soldiers who have previously served in the Active Army or Selected Reserve.
On June 25, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov to discuss regional security developments and dynamics on the ground in Ukraine. Secretary Austin reiterated unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine and discussed security assistance priorities to meet Ukraine’s needs on the battlefield.
According to the Department of Defense, as of May 21, 2023, the United States has committed $37.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked assault on February 24, 2022.
FEATURED PHOTO: M1A1 Abrams tanks arrive in Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 13, 2023. The tanks will be used to train Ukrainian forces. Photo By Army Spc. Adrian Greenwood, courtesy of the Department of Defense.
