Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Pentagon Sends Huge Ammo Shipment to Forces in Europe | Military.com

Pentagon Sends Huge Ammo Shipment to Forces in Europe | Military.com: The U.S. Defense Department just completed the largest single shipment of ammunition for Army and Air Force units in Europe in more than two decades.

More than 600 shipping containers worth of ammo arrived at the port of Nordenham, Germany, as part of the continued effort to reassure NATO allies in Europe and bolster deterrence against potential Russian aggression.

The ammo build-up is intended to increase the readiness of U.S. forces stationed in Europe, said Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe in a recent Army press release.

"This is about deterrence," he said. "We could have 1,000 tanks over here, but if we didn't have the ammunition for them they would not have any deterrent effect. It's another example of the commitment of the United States to security and stability in Europe."

The shipment by itself is significant because it equates to more than 620 containers, according to Lt. Col. Brad Culligan, commander, 838th Transportation Battalion, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

The ammunition will be transported by train to Miesau Army Depot, Germany.