Association of the Voice for the Army—Support for the Soldier October 2015

The U.S. Army in Europe Strategic Landpower in Action

The recent deployment of company-sized Army elements to and the Baltic States offers a ru- bric for what . . . global landpower . . . may look like going forward. With a relatively small footprint, our Army achieves strategic aims by employing trained and ready units, fully prepared for joint com- bined-arms maneuver, that are adaptive and flexible, prepared to carry out a range of operations with partner nation forces. General Daniel B. Allyn, Vice Chief of Staff, Army Remarks at AUSA’s ILW Hot Topic “Army Networks,” 9 July 2015

Introduction The growing and emerging threats to the glob- al security environment—the velocity of instabili- ty—recently compelled the Department of Defense (DoD) to reexamine its capabilities and capacity for deterrence, sustained operations and reassurance of allies and partners. In contrast to projections in earlier strategic guidance, the regional security and stability in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific have deteriorated in the past several years in ways that were not anticipated. Potential adversaries sought to negate America’s strengths, exploit its vul- nerabilities and gain temporary or local superiority in one or more capability areas. Additionally, the more extreme conditions of volatility and instability. More- adversaries disrupted or undermined the strong U.S. over, traditional allies in Europe continue to face sig- network of security alliances and partners, the greater nificant economic and demographic burdens that ex- the threat to the vital interests of the United States. ert downward pressure on defense budgets. Therefore, This continues today. strengthening military capabilities and building secu- The U.S. Army, as part of the joint force, operates rity capacity necessary for regional stability require globally in environments characterized by growing sustained and focused engagement. That is precisely urbanization, proliferation of weapons of mass de- what U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR)—as the Army

Strategic Landpower in Action struction, malicious cyber and information operations, service component command (ASCC) to U.S. Euro- humanitarian crises and the devastating effects of cli- pean Command—is executing under the framework of its Strong Europe initiative. And in doing so, it is The U.S.The Army in Europe mate change. The combination of threats and condi- tions creates an increasingly dangerous and unpre- supporting both U.S. and allied interests on the Euro- dictable operational environment and underscores the pean continent. Through USAREUR, Army forces are need for Army forces—active, Guard and Reserve— both present and capable in a critical area of the world, that are agile, responsive and regionally engaged. sending a strong message of assurance and deterrence to friends and potential adversaries alike. The U.S. Ar- In the European region, Russia’s intervention has my’s presence in Europe is more vital now than it has challenged the resolve of the European Union and been since the fall of the Soviet Union. NATO. Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and use of conventional and unconventional land forces Background in Ukraine suggest that Russia is determined to ex- When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, USAREUR pand its territory and assert its power on the Eurasian had 218,000 Soldiers on more than 850 installations, landmass. In addition, terrorist attacks in Europe to- organized under 41 garrisons with multiple corps, gether with significant increases in numbers of- ref divisions and theater enablers. Many countries were ugees from Africa and the Middle East have created already counting ways to spend their newfound peace As a result, Army forces in Europe received direction to immediately flow Soldiers into , , Lithua- nia and Poland to reassure allies and partners. This mission quickly expanded into a continuous series of exercises— Operation Atlantic Resolve—taking place from the Baltics to the Black Sea (24 battalion-led multinational exercises so far in 2015, with more scheduled). U.S. Resolve in Europe Recent U.S. military guidance together with executive and legislative government support have served to under- score U.S. resolve toward Europe and, in particular, the need for landpower on the European continent. The Depart- ment of the Army’s (DA’s) regionally aligned forces (RAF) initiative provides maneuver units and enablers resulting in dividend as the Soviet Union ended. Former Soviet Bloc a continuous presence of U.S. land forces in Europe. This countries were making decisions on where to focus their builds partner capacity and increases U.S. interoperability futures—East or West. as a member of NATO. Another DA initiative, European In the summer of 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and the Activity Sets (EAS), enables one of these RAF units—a United States quickly began to assemble a coalition of battalion—to integrate into the training cycle of NATO’s countries to oust Iraqi forces. In 1991, USAREUR’s VII Response Force. The goal of EAS is to expand the size of Corps played a pivotal role in the conflict (Operation Des- the unit from a battalion to a brigade combat team as well as ert Storm). In 1995, after three years of brutal, ethnically including enablers such as air defense, transportation, signal rooted conflict in Bosnia, the Dayton Peace accords were and engineer assets to increase capabilities. In sum, these signed and the Organization (NATO) two programs are integral to the overall success of NATO’s assumed the role of peacekeeper in Bosnia and Herze- Readiness Action Plan. govina. USAREUR’s 1st Armored Division played a lead Undergirding U.S. commitment to the region is the Eu- ground role in that peacekeeping force. In 1998, the former ropean Reassurance Initiative (ERI, part of the Consolidate Yugoslav Republic of Serbia’s province of Kosovo required and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015), which a NATO-led international peacekeeping force—Kosovo provides critical funding while supporting four landpower Forces, or KFOR—to bring stability to the country that con- requirements: increased presence; infrastructure; exercises tinues to this day. and training; and prepositioning of equipment. This provides The stability and prosperity of Europe is vital to U.S. na- persistent armored brigade combat team presence in theater; tional interests. The European Union (EU) is the largest U.S. infrastructure enhancements to enable reception, staging and trade partner with almost $1 trillion in trade annually. In onward movement (RSOI); and improvements to training fact, about half of the global gross domestic product (GDP) areas as well as increased exercises. and a third of the global trade come from the combined U.S. Strong Europe and EU economies. In short, a peaceful and economically stable Europe is in the direct national security interest of the U.S. Army forces provide strategic landpower to pre- United States. Since the end of the Cold War, the European vent future conflict through deterrence, toshape the security region has enjoyed a relatively high level of security; as a environment by reassuring allies through presence and action result, in the past 25 years, USAREUR has undergone enor- and—if necessary—to win. The U.S. Army on the Europe- mous change, reducing more than 70 percent of its infra- an continent provides that landpower through highly ready structure and Soldiers. Today’s consolidated footprint in US- forces; robust logistics; transportation and infrastructure; AREUR consists of two brigade combat teams (BCTs) and networked intelligence; strong communications; and an ever- about 30,000 Soldiers. Concurrently, European forces had increasing level of interoperability with allies and partners. reduced their numbers as well. Though Russia was invited USAREUR contributes to European security through an to engage with NATO—and actually participated in joint initiative called Strong Europe—a framework that focuses exercises for a short period in the 1990s—the cooperation on relationships, capabilities, infrastructure and exercises ended soon afterwards as the Russian leadership changed. that aim to assure allies, deter aggression and posture the Soon it appeared Russia would not embrace NATO as an force to respond to a crisis or conflict if deterrence fails. Op- international partner. Russia’s actions in Georgia, Moldova eration Atlantic Resolve is a major part of Strong Europe. and then Ukraine have confirmed their change in focus and Trained and ready, 30,000 Soldiers evoke a 300,000-person resurgence as an unstable influence in the region. capability. In addition, USAREUR leads Atlantic Resolve

2 www.ausa.org Current Challenges for U.S. Army Europe

Current Challenges BALTIC SEA Mediterranean migration Suwalke Gap Israel and Lebanon KALININGRAD Resurgent Russia BELARUS Flow of foreign fighters POLAND SWEEDEN

FINLAND

NORWAY XXXX

BALTIC SEA ESTONIA RUSSIA

LATVIA Russian Missile Ranges XXXX NORTH SEA LITHUANIA Iskander (GLCM) UNITED KINGDOM Iskander (SS-26) BELARUS XXXX IRELAND POLAND Stooge SA-21 CZECH REP. UKRAINE Bastion KAZAKHSTAN ATLANTIC OCEAN AUSTRIA MOLDOVA XXXX SA-20 SWITZERLAND XXXX Russian snap SERBIA BLACK SEA exercise GEORGIA CASPIAN SEA XXXXUZBEKISTAN

PORTUGAL AZERBAIJAN TYRRHENIAN SEA TURKMENISTAN Russian army

Time to Latvia by rail MEDITERRANEAN SEA SYRIA

LEBANON AFGHANIST0–24AN hours TUNISIA IRAQ MOROCCO ISRAEL IRAN 24–48 hours ALGERIA JORDAN LIBYA EGYPT

Source: Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe land-force multinational training across Estonia, Latvia, Adaptability: Unified Action Partners must be able to Lithuania, Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Roma- provide rapid and responsive communications in support nia, ensuring multinational interoperability and strengthen- of military operations. The various Unified Action Partner ing relationships among allied militaries, thereby contribut- Friendly Forces Tracking Systems must work together under ing to regional stability and demonstrating U.S. commitment a common operating picture. This may result in restructuring to NATO. of personnel, facilities and equipment to support this capa- Under Strong Europe, training and operations focus bility beyond the current operational framework. Interopera- on “Prevent” and “Shape” while training in the Decisive bility benefits from mobile capability for operational needs. Action Training Environment (DATE) at the Joint Multina- Interoperability reinforces adaptability by enabling mobile tional Command Training Center (JMTC). European-based assets from across regions or countries and by deploying training focuses on interoperability in a joint, interagency, forces to link into Unified Action Partners’ capabilities intergovernmental and multinational (JIIM) environment, quickly, regardless of the region or the countries involved. under three USAREUR interoperability factors: Unity of Effort: Operation Atlantic Resolve enhances Uni- Partnership: Interoperability is crucial to USAREUR‘s fied Action Partners’ ability to quickly muster, shoot, move ability to train and, if required, to fight as part of the multi- and communicate in training, which sets the conditions to national NATO force. The initial building block of interop- respond to a challenge in the region. erability is the formation and sustainment of cooperative partnerships among Unified Action Partners.1 These part- Overall, the initiative Strong Europe improves interop- nerships result in the development of common operating erability and capacity with allies and partners and facilitates procedures, shared tactics, techniques and procedures and U.S. and NATO logistical infrastructure, thereby expanding expanded access. freedom of action.

1 Unified Action Partners are those military forces, government and nongovernmental organizations and elements of the private sector with whom Army forces plan, coordinate, synchronize and integrate during the conduct of operations. Army Doctrine and Reference Publication (ADRP) 3.0, Unified Land Operations, May 2012; and Association of the United States Army, U.S. Army Training for Unified Land Operations (Torchbearer National Security Report, September 2011), http://www.ausa.org/publications/ilw/Documents/TB_Full-Spectrum_web.pdf.

3 U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) adapts to the new security environment

In April 2014, after Russian activities in Ukraine created international political and military concerns, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) directed increased Army force presence to attempt to deter Russia and assure allies during this time of uncertainty. USAREUR responded with a 173d Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) deployment to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. One company deployed to each country to train and conduct exercises. Since then, USAREUR-assigned or regionally allocated forces have remained to train with allies. The immediate increase in U.S. and allied forces conducting training in northeast Europe provided the assurance that the United States and NATO disapprove of Russia’s actions and are ready to respond if required. collaboratively prioritize, synchronize and schedule scarce national resources. The conferences maximize the national In March 2015, Atlantic Resolve expanded to the southeastern and collective readiness of land forces in Europe. The col- flank—the Black Sea region of Bulgaria and Romania. With NATO laboration that results during the conferences further rein- allies, USAREUR forces expanded training and exercises to include forces the Strong Europe initiative and the commitment to an airborne assault into an airfield in Romania, followed by the U.S. coalition partners. A strong unified coalition is the key introduction of troops from 2d Cavalry Regiment and heavy forces to preventing conflict in Europe, shaping the environment from the RAF pool under the control of USAREUR. Subsequently, Hungary and Slovakia volunteered to host a portion of the next and winning if deterrence fails. Atlantic Resolve, further growing the Atlantic Resolve framework. Capabilities. Stationing forces in partner nations is one way that the United States demonstrates a commitment to region- al security. The armored brigade combat team (ABCT) pro- Strong Europe in Action vides a particularly strong message to potential adversaries. Within Europe, USAREUR is at the forefront of assur- In an attempt to assure allies and partners, deter adversar- ing allies and partners and deterring adversaries by shaping ies and maintain a force capable of responding to terrorist the environment, setting the theater, projecting power, con- threats and increased refugee flow into Europe, the United ducting strategic maneuver and employing special opera- States provides permanent and rotational forces in Europe. tions forces (SOF). To execute this, Army forces in Europe With the recent increase in Russian aggression, the U.S. focus on building and strengthening relationships, maxi- Army continues to reinforce USAREUR’s presence in the mizing capabilities, enhancing infrastructure and training to region. The increase in capabilities includes command and standards through exercises. control, combat formations, air missile defense, engineers, Relationships. When compared to the capability of the sustainment, and protection. RAF and bolstering of Army Russian military, the ability of any single nation to chal- prepositioned stock (APS) and European activity sets (EAS) lenge Russian aggression is limited. However, a compar- are two of the initiatives the Army is pursuing in Europe. ison of the combined capabilities and capacity of the co- The 4th Infantry Division (4ID) is USAREUR’s RAF alition against Russia shows a very different picture. The division headquarters (HQ) and 1st Brigade, 3d Infantry key to maintaining overmatch to deter continued Russian Division (1/3ID) is USAREUR’s current RAF ABCT. 4ID aggression is the relationships between USAREUR and the has a mission command element (MCE) in Europe, provid- European nations. The RAF provides USAREUR constant ing mission command for Atlantic Resolve and serves as an access to units that provide the necessary capabilities to intermediate HQ between USAREUR and Army forces in enhance partnerships and build partner capacity. The inter- Europe. The 4ID MCE provides a permanent command and face between international land forces in Europe attempts to control element not only to conduct exercises in the region expand coalition capability and capacity to maintain over- but also to develop a long-standing relationship with USA- match against Russia. USAREUR’s leading role as trainer REUR, USEUCOM and NATO for unity of command. and synchronizer of land forces in Europe helps to ensure Elements of the 1/3ID deployed in the spring of 2015 unity of effort in the region. to exercise Atlantic Resolve. During the one year that 1/3ID USAREUR’s semi-annual Combined Training Con- is the RAF unit for USAREUR, it will deploy the entire ferences (May/June and November) serves as a catalyst ABCT for one 90-day rotation (October–December 2015) to bring the European and NATO land forces together to and one 180-day rotation (April–October 2016). The 1/3ID

www.ausa.org 4 5 2 time anddollars,oftransporting heavyequipment. both in costs, the reduces significantly EAS minimum, a As Estonia, Latvia,Lithuania,Bulgaria,RomaniaandPoland. positioning company-tobattalion-sizedunitsetsforward in USAREUR willgeographicallyexpandthecurrentEAS by and APS inEurope. With Departmentofthe Army support, is consideringexpandingthesizeandscopeofboth EAS includes an ABCT andaheftyenablerpackage, andthe Army ciently equiprotationalunitsinnortheasternEurope. EAS effi and effectively to necessary is equipment positioned ture inCentralEurope. To enhancethatposture,forward- would struggletopresentaformidabledeterrencepos Although the Army is improving its posture in Europe, it partners. and allies assuring in role significant a play forces Infrastructure. Armored andmechanized (heavy) Army less expensivetodeploypersonnelwithouttheirequipment. ment toreducethecostassociatedwithrotationalunits.Itis bined withdwindlingresourcesistoforward-positionequip my’s solutiontotheincreaseinreadyforcesEuropecom to adapt to thenewsecuritychallenges.Part of the U.S. Ar the right capabilityandcapacity are crucialfor USAREUR and additionalsustainmentcapabilities.Readyforceswith and missiledefense,transport(especiallyheavyequipment) air protection, cyber bridging, fires, include consideration unity ofcommandandforcepredictability. Capabilitiesfor stationed androtationalunitswilluseRAFtoensure requirements throughthemosteffective mixofforward- security environment. The Army willsourcetheevolving continues toevaluatethebestwayadaptitsdynamic REUR’s requirements tochangeandpotentiallygrowasit units including4IDand1/3ID.The Army expectsUSA States (CONUS)-basedRAF, augmentingEuropean-based ERI supportsthe deployment of the continental United cluding participationinUSAREUR’s exerciseprogram. will conducttheatersecuritycooperationwithpartners,in the UnitedStatesthatwill exercisewithallied and partner

Association ofthe UnitedStates Army, “StrategicLandpowerinNATO: Vital forU.S.Security” (Torchbearer IssuePaper, October2014), http://www.ausa.org/publications/ilw/DigitalPublications/Documents/tbip-landcom/index.html. While the use of EAS is to equip rotating units from www.ausa.org ------

the tactical, operational and strategic levels of command. combined-arms maneuver andsustainmentoperationsat coordination of command and control, intelligence sharing, coalition technologies at the tactical level will assist in the the vehicle to increase interoperability between U.S. and and implement systemic solutions. Using Allied Spirit as Army andNATO institutional agencies that can determine then sharebestpractices with theappropriate Institutional cal, cultural and procedural interoperability challenges, peer andnear-peer allies. These exercisesidentify techni level interoperability at thebrigade and battalion levels with exercises series called Allied Spirit improves tactical- coalition landforces. to potential adversaries the resolveandcapabilities of the and partnerforcesinthecoalition and demonstrate of U.S. of movement and interoperability, reinforce the readiness (LANDCOM). lies intheregionaspartofNATO’s Allied LandCommand NATO partnerstocollectively respond withotherU.S.al- more robustexercise program seekstoassure andprepare and scope of Atlantic Resolve in the next two years. This To increase land force capabilities, it will increase the size gram and is conducting approximately 50 exercises per year. respond toacrisisorevent. dressing thesechallenges, thereby settingtheconditionsto increase the freedom of movement within Europe by ad- access and baseforces.USAREUR’s exercise program will the many countries required agreements with each one to of forcesthroughout Europe. Moreover, operating within and theBaltics. All of these then andnowrestrict movement opment. Obstacles existed with rail operations into Poland FORGER exercises were too restrictive due to urban devel infrastructure. Movement corridors usedduring the RE- nologies resulted in vehicles that were too large for aging large-scale response to a crisis had deteriorated. New tech the ability to commandandcontrolmultinational forces ina ing ForcestoGermany(REFORGER)exercisesin1993, created challenges in mobility. With the end of the Return- relative security, thereduction inlandforcesEuropehas Exercises. SincetheendofCold War and25yearsof to coordinatethiseffort. ongoing between USAREUR and potential host countries ing; andthestrategicrequirementsfortheater. Action is the Army’s ability to sourcetheequipment for preposition several factors: the availability of existing infrastructure; mination of the size and composition of each site involves the UnitedStatesinatimeofcrisis. The basisforthedeter equipment designed to support units that would deploy from nations’ militaries, Army prepositioned stocks (APSs) is As partofthisexpanding exercise program, a new To doso,thecommandhasexpanded its exercisepro- 2 Insum,the exercises will increase freedom - - - - -

The U.S. Army in Europe Strategic Landpower in Action The U.S. Army in Europe Strategic Landpower in Action alliance solidarity, unityandsecurity.” in themservetounderline thenation’s dedication to many activities, exercises and investments contained ica’s] ERI,NATO’s Readiness Action Plan andthe Europe: “U.S.Operation Atlantic Resolve,[Amer succinctly outlinesthefutureU.S.directiontoward future. The latestU.S.NationalMilitaryStrategy curity situationinEuropenowandfortheforeseeable WayThe Ahead Europe. in Syria and may threaten U.S. interests outside of is crucialasRussianmilitary forces areincreasing the capability to respond to aggression globally. This U.S. forcestorapidly deploy inEuropedemonstrates place in 11 locations in fourcountries. The ability of in Europe. This year’s SwiftResponseexercisetakes will demonstrate the collective capability to respond erations Forces originating from nine other countries NATO HighReadiness Task Force, and Special Op- id employability of theGRFinconjunction with the forces. together within-theaterUSAREUR The rap- conduct aCombinedJointForcibleEntryoperation Response Force (GRF) to deploy on shortnotice and the ability to leveragetheCONUS-basedU.S.Global The SwiftResponseexerciseserieswilldemonstrate mass forceswithallies and partners when needed. NATO’s intention and capability to quickly move and powerful dimensiontosignalpotential adversaries of tive exercise program added Swift Response,another tential state andnon-stateadversaries. The collabora capabilities from CONUSservestofurther deter po- restore Europeansecurity. improves the alliance’s ability to deter aggression and turn improves the security status within NATO, and freedom of movement throughout Europe. This in ment across country boundaries, enabling increased at every level as they navigate challenges of move- Freedom Shock, which exercises leaders and Soldiers mand has instilled the expeditionary mindset through forward forces. To maintain this readiness,thecom- the continued emphasis onmaintaining highly-ready quickly respond to unknown threats at any time is prepared torespondquicklyandeffectively. reinforce to potential adversaries thatthecoalition is increased interoperability during exercisesservesto and executing across Europe. The demonstration of ex- the tensive exercise effortsis planning thatUSAREUR from benefit both NATO and USEUCOM mass migrationofrefugeesaddtoadeterioratingse together with theneedtoreassureallies andpartners The ability of USAREURto absorb additional An integral partofUSAREUR’s capability to This unpredictable and complex environment Russian aggression,transnationalthreatsand - - - to: improveNATO’s maneuverandsustainmentca U.S. Army’s presenceinEurope sovitalisitsability leader development;andreadiness. What makesthe Army Europemustensue:enablingthe Alliance; three enduringprioritiesoftheCommander, U.S. and partners.Forthislandpowertobeeffective, ever-increasing levelofinteroperabilitywithallies worked intelligence,strongcommunicationsandan logistics, transportationandinfrastructure,net nation of these highly-ready forces as well as robust es. USAREUR provides landpower througha combi vestment for the nation. interests. An investment in USAREUR is a smart in vital U.S. of protection the to contributing nificantly in Europeismitigatingthat riskand,indoingso,sig and implementation of its initiative, the U.S. Army tion interests at significant risk. Through its presence tions inlandpowercapabilities placeU.S.and coali through 2023 together with the corresponding reduc and disproportionalreductionsindefensebudgets future contingencies.However, theindiscriminate to effectively posture U.S. landpower capabilities for efficiently and innovatively using available resources ners and deters potential adversaries. USAREURis tinuous engagement. allied forces,U.S.-basedrotationalforcesandcon Guard andReserve,throughsharedcapabilitieswith theater isenhancedbya Total Army effort—active, pabilities providedbyUSAREURtotheEuropean through episodicexercises. The effectiveness ofca the Alliance byinstillinganexpeditionarymindset ica’s obligationtosupporttheCollectiveDefenseof plish anymission;andbereadytoguarantee Amer who have the freedom to take initiative and accom pabilities; develop innovative and adaptive leaders training andexercises. This assuresalliesandpart capabilities andadequateinfrastructuretoconduct relationships, thedevelopmentofpartnerandU.S. ensure unityofeffort throughstronginternational to leveragepartnerships,maximizeadaptabilityand require adaptive,engagedandresponsive Army forc USAREUR’s Strong Europe initiativestrives ------

The U.S. Army in Europe Strategic Landpower in Action