RIA Novosti: U.S. Deploying Battle Tanks, Some 700 Troops to Baltic States, Poland: Reports
Johnson's Russia List
MOSCOW,
October 1 (RIA Novosti) – The United States is deploying some 700
troops as well as battle tanks in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland
in the next couple of weeks, NBC News reported Wednesday.“The purpose is to be a very visible demonstration of commitment to our allies,” said Captain John Farmer, public affairs officer for the Ironhorse, formal designation of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “We may take slightly longer to deploy than lighter forces, but there’s nothing like a tank if you really want to achieve effect.”
The mission is aimed at sending the message of NATO’s resolve to Moscow, NBC News reports.
The “Ironhorse” armored cavalry unit, some 20 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks with Bradley and Stryker armored fighting vehicles are to be sent to the Baltic states in order to show Moscow that its “interference” in any of these states might cause the war with the Western alliance.