An M1A2 Abrams tank with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Johnson, La.

A combination of U.S. Army units will deploy to Europe this winter as part of a troop rotation aimed at reinforcing NATO’s eastern defenses, the Army announced. The deployment will involve an armored brigade, aviation and artillery units, and a division headquarters, with Poland and other areas serving as key locations.

Leading the deployment is the Fort Stewart, Georgia-based 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, known as the “Raider” brigade, comprising 3,500 soldiers. The brigade will begin its mission in January, and while Poland will serve as a primary hub, the unit is expected to participate in exercises across various European nations.

“We have trained hard, and we have no doubt in our ability to answer the nation’s call,” said Col. James Armstrong, brigade commander.

The 1st Armored Brigade will replace the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, currently stationed in Europe. Additionally, the 1st Armored Division Headquarters will take over from the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters in Poland as part of the regular force rotation.

Since Russia’s 2014 intervention in Ukraine, Poland has emerged as a focal point for U.S. and NATO operations to deter potential threats from the east. In further rotations, the 1st Armored Division Artillery will replace the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery in Latvia, and the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade will succeed the 1st Cavalry Division Combat Aviation Brigade, operating from Poland and other European locations.

Separately, the 101st Airborne Division Combat Aviation Brigade is set to deploy to the Middle East this winter, replacing the 10th Mountain Division Combat Aviation Brigade. Although exact locations were not disclosed, these forces will operate under U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in regions such as Iraq and Syria.