FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – About 3,500 Fort Campbell soldiers are deploying to Europe to support the United States’ commitment to NATO allies and partners.
On Tuesday, approximately 200 “Strike” soldiers of 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (2MBCT), 101st Airborne Division, departed as part of a regular rotation of forces to the European theater, and flights will continue through March. They replace the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces, according to a 101st Airborne Division news release.
The full MBCT will support U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Army V Corps for U.S. and international training events alongside U.S. allies and partners. The tiered exercise program builds readiness, enhances interoperability and strengthens relationships by providing a joint, multinational environment to prepare Allies and partners to train as they fight, the release said.
“This rotation marks an important moment in ‘Strike’ history,” said Col. James Stultz, 2MBCT commander. “This brigade built incredible bonds with our European brothers and sisters in arms during our last rotation, and we are excited to continue to build on those bonds and continue to increase our combined readiness.
“Under the Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative, we are returning as a more mobile, more lethal, more resilient force and we look forward to applying that to training events alongside our fellow NATO forces,” Stultz said. As part of that new Army initiative, “Mobile” has been added to the BCT’s name.
2MBCT soldiers will be stationed in Germany, Romania, Poland and elsewhere.
Also Tuesday at Fort Campbell, 2MBCT conducted a change of command ceremony and colors casing ceremony, marking the moment when the unit’s colors are temporarily removed from home station until their return. For the change of command, the 101st and community leaders said farewell to Stultz and welcomed Col. Duke Reim, who will join soldiers departing for Europe in the coming days.
“It is with profound humility and immense pride that I stand here before you today,” said Reim. “I’m excited for the honor of leading the sons and daughters entrusted to us by the families across this nation.”