OAN Roy Francis
7:36 AM – Friday, July 14, 2023
President Joe Biden authorized the Pentagon to deploy up to 3,000 reservists to Europe in response to the war in Ukraine on Thursday.
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According to a statement released by the White House, the order is meant to provide support for the American troops already stationed throughout Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America . . . 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 order read.
Operation Atlantic Resolve was launched in 2014 after Russia’s invasion of the Crimean Peninsula. The operation is meant to enhance deterrence capabilities along eastern Europe.
The order by the president authorizes the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to deploy the military members who are part of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve. It also specifies that no more than 3,000 total reserve members can be activated at the once, and out of the 3,000, no more than 450 can be members of the Individual Ready Reserve.
It was not immediately confirmed whether Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will actually deploy the reservists anytime soon, however, the order suggests that the United States military’s mission in Europe has stretched active-duty forces to the limit.
The order by the president comes after he wrapped up his five-day trip to Europe which included the NATO summit. The trip, and the NATO summit, were meant to demonstrate the power of the international alliance and their stance against Russia and its invasion of Ukraine.
Biden touted that his trip to Europe was a success and that the alliance is now “more united than ever.”
“NATO is stronger, more energized and yes, more united than ever in its history. Indeed, more vital to our shared future. It didn’t happen by accident. It wasn’t inevitable,” Biden said. “When Putin, and his craven lust for land and power, unleashed his brutal war on Ukraine, he was betting NATO would break apart … But he thought wrong.”
The president, along with other members of NATO also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, saying that they will do everything they could to meet Ukraine’s needs.
“We’re going to help Ukraine build a strong defense across land, air, and sea,” Biden vowed, calling it “a force of stability in the region to deter against any and all threats.”
Since February 2022, the Department of Defense has deployed or extended over 20,000 military personnel in Europe in response to Russia’s invasion. The total of U.S. military personnel across Europe, before the new order by President Biden, totaled over 100,000.
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