US heavy infantry ‘armours’ South-Eastern Europe. Thousands of combat vehicles, Abrams tanks and Bradley vehicles deployed by the Americans

Bradley fighting vehicles during a transport. Photo: US Army

The Greek port of Alexandroupolis was used for the first time to unload heavy combat equipment on the largest scale to date, with around 3,000 vehicles being unloaded.

“The port of Alexandroupolis in Greece has made support history as it facilitates the movement of the 1st “heavy” infantry brigade on March 11, 2024,” informed the 21st Theater Support Command, responsible for the support of US Ground Forces in Europe and Africa.

About 3,000 heavy equipment, including Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, deployed by the US to “armor” Eastern Europe

M1 Abrams during an airlift. Photo source: US Air Force

The combat vehicle belongs to the 3rd Armored Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division of the US Army. A total of about 3,000 pieces of equipment, including Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), Mine Resistant Vehicles (MRAPs) and M1 Abrams tanks, were unloaded from the Leroy A. Mendonca.

The units of the brigade will be deployed in several garrisons in Europe to cover the south-eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance as effectively as possible.

“The equipment will be transported to multiple locations to rapidly generate combat power to deter potential aggression and reassure NATO allies,” US Army Europe-Africa announced.

The 3rd Armored Brigade (from Fort Carson) of the 4th Infantry Division will replace the 2nd Armored Brigade of the 1st Armored Division starting this spring, with the mission expected to last about nine months, according to Stars and Stripes.

Transport of an American Abrams M1A2 tank. Photo: US Army

The last deployment in Europe of the 3rd Armored Brigade / 4th Infantry Division, whose numbers amount to almost 3,800 soldiers, was from March to November 2022, as part of the operation to ensure, deter and strengthen the eastern flank. Then he participated in multinational exercises in Poland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria.

A classic American armored brigade includes nearly 90 Abrams tanks, 150 Bradley armored vehicles, 18 M109 self-propelled howitzers, and 45 M113 vehicles, making it the largest combat brigade-level formation in the US Army.

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