U.S. Army Europe forces deploy in support of NATO missile defense

By Staff Sgt. Joel Salgado, U.S. Army EuropeJanuary 10, 2013

U.S. Army Europe forces deploy in support of NATO missile defense
U.S. Air Force personnel load a medium tactical vehicle from U.S. Army Europe's 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command onto a C-5 Galaxy transport plane at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 8, 2013. The load-up was part of the 10th AAMDC's deployme... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (Jan. 9, 2013) -- Soldiers from U.S. Army Europe's 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, along with members of the 32nd AAMDC from Fort Bliss, Texas, are deploying to Turkey in support of NATO missile defense operations.

The NATO force has been organized to respond to a request from the Turkish government to augment its air defense capabilities to defend its population and territory. U.S. Army Europe's partners from Germany and the Netherlands also plan to contribute air defense forces to the multinational operation, dubbed Operation Anatolian Protector..

The 10th AAMDC will provide command and control for two Patriot missile batteries from the 32nd AAMDC.

The duration of the deployment will be determined by the contributing nations in coordination with Turkey and NATO.

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32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command