BREMERHAVEN, Germany - Equipment from the Tennessee National Guard's 194th Engineer Brigade, headquartered in Jackson, Tennessee, arrived at a northern port in Germany to support the NATO exercise Atlantic Resolve.
About 1,000 personnel from Tennessee and Alabama will arrive in Europe to operate engineering equipment and provide security training as part of support to Resolute Castle 15, a component of the larger NATO exercise.
In light of the on-going Russian intervention in Ukraine, the effort to demonstrate America's commitment to the collective security of NATO allies and overall support for U.S. partners in Europe is critical. The construction and military police operations assisting our NATO partners, Bulgaria and Romania, are a vital demonstration of the U.S. commitment.
"The Tennessee National Guard's participation in this global mission will have a significant impact in Eastern Europe. Atlantic Resolve and Resolute Castle 15 prove the United States has not taken its eye off the ball in Europe. The mission will ensure our commitment to democracy and freedom in nations that were once part of the Eastern Bloc," said Maj. Gen. Terry "Max" Haston, the adjutant general of Tennessee.
The 194th Engineer Brigade plans to work with Bulgarian and Romanian partners by constructing new training areas, improving infrastructure, and executing joint security training to reassure them of the United State's commitment toward their security and territorial integrity.
Engineering efforts will focus on better enabling our NATO partners to train effectively, respond quickly to crises, and directly reinforce the safety and security of the region. The additional military police joint training allows the U.S. and NATO allies to increase readiness and the ability to rapidly counter incidents that may disturb a peaceful and prosperous Europe.
The 194th Engineer Brigade will serve as the overall mission command element for the exercise and the 230th Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Trenton, Tennessee, will execute the construction mission in Bulgaria. The Alabama unit will provide engineer support missions in Romania.