With Activation of NATO Response Force, U.S. Military Ready to Provide Forces
FEB. 25, 2022 | BY C. TODD LOPEZ, DOD NEWS
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today announced activation of the alliance's defense plans, which means also that it can deploy the NATO Defense Force. The U.S. Defense Department now stands ready to provide capabilities to help fill that defense force, if asked to do so, said Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby.
"There's a historic nature to all this," Kirby told reporters during a briefing at the Pentagon today. "This is the first time that the alliance has employed these high readiness forces in a deterrence and defense role. So it's not an insignificant move by the alliance."
The activation serves as a notice to NATO nations that they may be called upon to provide military support to the NATO mission, Kirby said. This also means the United States may be called upon to provide both personnel and equipment to support the NATO mission — and that's something the U.S. and the department has been preparing to do for quite some time.
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2947452/with-activation-of-nato-response-force-us-military-ready-to-provide-forces/
