The Department of the Army announced Wednesday the upcoming summer rotational deployment of elements of the 3rd Infantry Division to Europe as part of the enduring mission to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises with partners across the European continent.
Approximately 4,500 Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division Artillery Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade and the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team will deploy to various locations across Europe to support NATO allies, deter further aggression against NATO member states and train with host-nation forces.
The 3rd ID headquarters, 3rd ID Artillery, and 3rd DSB will replace similar elements of the 4th Infantry Division in Poland and Latvia. The 2nd ABCT will replace elements of the 1st Cavalry Division in Poland as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the United States’ commitment to NATO allies and partners in Europe.
“The Marne Division is ready to deploy in support of this important mission,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Costanza, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division. “We have trained hard and are confident in our ability to provide support and assistance to our allies, and proud to answer the nation’s call.”
The 3rd ID headquarters’ will fall under the command and control of V Corps for this mission and will focus on mission command of the rotational units deployed in support of multi-national exercises and enduring support to our allies and partners in the European Theater.
Additionally, 3rd ID units will oversee other aligned rotational units to enhance readiness and build interoperability with NATO allies and partners. 3rd ID’s deployment will be the sixth rotation of a division forward headquarters and will last approximately nine months.
Recently, the Army also announced the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade’s upcoming rotation to Europe in which approximately 2,000 Soldiers from the 3rd CAB will deploy as part of a regular rotation of forces in Europe in support of the European Assure, Deter, Reinforce campaign. This means that elements of all 3rd ID units will be deployed by the summer of 2023 except for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, which recently returned from a deployment to Europe to support NATO allies and partners and is currently modernizing.
The 3rd ID conducted multiple complex Warfighter exercises, modernization, and a culminating training event for the division headquarters and 2nd ABCT at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
Units have validated their training readiness to support the upcoming rotation.