FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Elements of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell have been ordered to deploy to Europe in support of Joint Task Force Dragon “in order to assure our NATO allies and partners in the region,” according to a news release.

Fort Campbell troops will join elements of the 18th Airborne Corps already deployed to the region, the release said. While no specific number of troops has been released, 101st spokeswoman Lt. Col Kari McEwen told Clarksville Now it will be “several hundred” soldiers.

“As we have since 1942, the 101st Airborne Division stands ready to deploy anywhere to support and defend the nation and our allies,” said Maj. Gen. JP McGee, commanding general of the 101st.

Russia may withdraw

On Tuesday, the Russian military announced a partial troop withdrawal from drills near Ukraine — a sign that may suggest a Russian invasion of its neighbor isn’t imminent despite snowballing Western fears, according to the Associated Press.

Also, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is ready for security talks with the U.S. and NATO.

Speaking after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin said the U.S. and NATO rejected Moscow’s demand to keep Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations out of NATO, halt weapons deployments near Russian borders, and roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe. But the U.S. and NATO have agreed to discuss a range of security measures that Russia had previously proposed.

About the 101st

As one of the U.S. military’s contingency response forces, the 101st Airborne Division has units ready to deploy worldwide on short notice to conduct a range of military operations from humanitarian assistance to combat capabilities, the release said.

“Fort Campbell units are always prepared to deploy worldwide on short notice to conduct contingency operations in support of our national security objectives. Preparations for this deployment have been underway for several weeks and our soldiers are ready. They will provide valuable support for our higher headquarters and reassure our Polish Allies at this critical moment,” McEwen said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.