The U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division is returning to Europe for its second deployment since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The 3rd ID's commanding officer, Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, said Monday the Fort Stewart-based division's 2nd Armored Brigade is joining other units already on station and conducting training exercises in Poland and other parts of Europe. Norrie assumed command of the 3rd ID and Fort Stewart in June, succeeding Maj. Gen. Charles Costanza, who spent two years leading the division and is now serving at Fort Moore near Columbus.
“We don’t have to deploy, we get to deploy,” said Norrie, who describes himself as a “dog-faced” soldier and who has served combat tours in Bosnia/Herzegovina, Iraq and the Middle East in his career. “We are prepared to further strengthen the NATO alliance, further deter aggression and to train with host nations and allies.”
Credit: Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army
Credit: Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army
Approximately 4,500 Fort Stewart soldiers are part of the current deployment. Only the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team is not part of the rotation. That unit returned from a deployment earlier this year and is in the process of modernizing, which involves upgrading gear and equipment and what Norrie calls “headware” improvements ― training and instruction ― for the brigade soldiers.
The 2nd Armored Brigade underwent a similar modernization earlier this year and, according to Norrie, is the “most modern” armored fighting force in the U.S. Army.
The current deployment is expected to stretch into 2024 with units rotating home ahead of another deployment next summer, Norrie said.
The 3rd ID’s return to Europe comes amidst the continuing war in Ukraine. Fort Stewart soldiers first deployed to the continent a week after Russia invaded the neighboring country in February 2022. The first units rotated home in August 2022.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Back to Europe: U.S. Army’s 3rd ID deploys to ‘further deter aggression’ for second time
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