Fort Carson soldiers coming home from South Korea as others prepare for Europe
As Fort Carson soldiers come home from South Korea, others will deploy to Europe this spring where NATO is planning the largest military exercise since the Cold War.
The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Carson is handing off deterrence responsibilities in South Korea to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment from Fort Cavazos, Texas. The Fort Carson troops are leaving as North Korea has exhibited aggression, launching cruise missiles three times off its western coast in January, according to the Associated Press.
While in South Korea the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of several thousand was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, which is charged with maintaining peace on the peninsula.
“Stryker brigade combat teams provide the mobility and flexibility needed to meet a range of contingency requirements,” said Maj. Gen. William “Hank” Taylor, division leader, in a Wednesday news release. The Fort Carson brigade “elevated the combined arms readiness of our division and (Republic of Korea) partners. We are better because of their professionalism and dedication during the nine-month rotation.”
The 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team expects to officially transfer authority to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at the end of February, a release said.
The Army also announced Wednesday the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Europe this spring for a mission also focused on deterrence.
Last week NATO announced an exercise sweeping exercise in Europe that would involve about 90,000 troops from all 31 NATO partners and Sweden. The exercise is planned as the war in Ukraine and Russia approaches its second anniversary.
The exercise will take place in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It will include land, air, sea, cyber and space operations, according to a news release.
A U.S. Army Stryker drives off a transportation ship in the Republic of Korea on Jan 30, 2024. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment will replace the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the United States’ commitment to South Korea. Units designated as a Korea Rotational Force, or KRF, serve a nine-month tour of duty.