Small group of Marines being sent to Bulgaria

AP:
A U.S. Marine Corps unit equipped with tanks, light armored vehicles and artillery will be sent to Bulgaria this fall as part of American plans to help reassure NATO allies worried by Russia's involvement in Ukraine, a top commander said Thursday.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said this week that more American military equipment would be positioned in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Germany as NATO seeks to bolster its forces in Eastern Europe.Brig. Gen. Norman Cooling, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Europe and Africa, told The Associated Press that 155 Marines equipped with four Abrams main battle tanks, six light armored vehicles and three howitzers are scheduled to be in place at the Novo Selo training area by early September. He spoke as NATO defense ministers met Thursday in Brussels.

"It's certainly our intent to convince the Russians and Mr. Putin to refrain from aggression and return to the community of peaceful nations," Cooling said.

Cooling said in addition to being a deterrent, the Marine unit would train with Bulgarian, Romanian and other allied forces over the next 18 months to improve the ability for U.S. forces to operate with forces using different equipment and methods. Marines will move through in six-month rotations.
...
Who is the US kidding?  A company size unit of Marines is a potent force but it is not enough to deter the Russians.  I hope the Marines enjoy their trip, but I think it will take much more to deter Russian aggression.  Such a small force is more likely to send a signal that the US is not all that serious.

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