Hundreds of soldiers from Fort Campbell left the army post Monday for a nine-month deployment to Europe to assist NATO allies and deter Russian aggression in the region.
Elements of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 101st Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), have been assigned to carry out the mission, which marks the first time the division has deployed to Europe in nearly 80 years.
Many of the Soldiers assigned to the mission in Europe have previous experience with multinational training exercises, including Sgt. James Benzinger, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT.
Major General JP McGee, commanding general, 101st Abn. Div. and Fort Campbell, said the division has been in an increased readiness posture for several months and is just as prepared now as during World War II.
