First of 2,000 Fort Bragg troops deploy to Germany, Poland in support of NATO allies
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- Less than 24 hours after getting their orders from President Joe Biden, the first wave of U.S. troops deploying to Eastern Europe took off aboard C-17s from Pope Army Airfield at Fort Bragg on Thursday afternoon.
In all, 2,000 soldiers and paratroopers from XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Div. will deploy to Germany and Poland.
"It was not news to them when the announcement was made because we're always prepared for this situation," said Capt. Matthew Visser, XVIII Airborne Corps Spokesperson.
John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary, pointed to the force's versatility and readiness as the reason they were being ordered to lead the way on the mission to bolster NATO allies and deter Russian aggression as Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to pull back troops from its border with Ukraine.
Before boarding the C-17 that would take him to Germany, Lt. Col. Brad Jordan said he and his comrades had a general concept of what they would do once they touch down, but they're used to heading into the unknown.
"You plan for what you can plan for and then you just adapt to whatever else just happens to come along and that's largely what the 82nd does," he said. "That's the life of a paratrooper."
Soldiers arriving at Green Ramp received one final briefing from their leadership before heading out to the tarmac.
"The soldiers here are ready for this," said Visser. "This is why people choose to come to Fort Bragg. It's the most ready, and when you come to Fort Bragg, it's no surprise that this could be the scenario that you're in, that you get to deploy, and that you get to support what the country needs of you."
The troops do not know how long they will be serving in Europe; the Pentagon has only stated publicly that the deployment will be temporary and American troops will not be fighting in Ukraine.
For 1st Lt. David Reed, 25 of Fairfax, VA, this first deployment is already a memorable one.
"It means a lot," he said. "My grandfather was in the 82nd and my dad was at Bragg for a little while."
Reed said his father was watching Kirby's announcement from the Pentagon on Wednesday and gave him a call.
"He just reached out to me he said, 'Hey, if you're one of those troops, congratulations. Godspeed. We're thinking about you.'"
