8,500 US Troops Put on Alert for Possible Deployment as Ukraine Crisis Deepens

I think this is far more serious even though most of the United States is still asleep to what is going on here. Russia moved it's troops into Belorus which has a border a mere 60 miles from Ukraines Capital of Kiev. Further Belorus borders on at least one Baltic State which Russia has also made threats against. We have at least one Baltic State saying it will probably invoke Article 5 of the NATO treaty if Russian troops approach it's border unless U.S. Troops are stationed there to protect it. We have Spain sending warships into the Black Sea, France saying it will send troops into Romania, etc. So some NATO countries are already starting to forward deploy their militaries (did this happen during the Cold War?). UK has flown it's F35's to forward bases though I am not sure where. I am sure the Polish Armed Forces are on alert as well.

Is this being done to make Joe seem tough and in charge after his disastrous press conference.

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen When I was stationed at Ft. Lewis in 1970 our Battalion was put on alert because Jane Fonda was on base with an "American Indian" who was part of our unit. They were afraid of a protest riot or whatever. Taught me not to be in the Barracks on a day off.

"About 8,500 U.S. troops were put on heightened alert Monday for possible deployment to Europe, ratcheting up tensions as Russia refused to back down from the threat of invading Ukraine.

The alert order was issued by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to units now in the U.S. that would be part of a NATO force if the alliance decides to activate a military response, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said during a press briefing. The move includes Army brigade combat teams as well as logistics, medical, aviation and transportation units.

"We wanted to make sure that we were ready in case that call should come, and that means making sure that units that would contribute to it are as ready as they can be on as short a notice as possible," Kirby said. "Again, no final decision has been made to deploy them."...